In one of DC’s outlying suburbs, 52-year old Kiran V. Kadian was murdered yesterday.
Her husband, Dr. Rajesh Kadian–who has written books about India, Pakistan and Kashmir, angered Gurmit Singh Aulakh, lobbied on behalf of India and appeared on TV for his subcontinental expertise– found her body when he arrived at their home. Kadian was described by neighbors as “a lovely woman, a very devoted mother. She was very religious, spent a lot of time going back to India in the summers.”
From WaPo:
Kiran Kadian was stabbed several times in the upper body, Fairfax police spokeswoman Mary Mulrenan said last night. The couple has lived in the brick house on Thompson Ridge Court, just off Walker Road, since 1992, according to land records and neighbors, and they have two daughters and a son.
The daughters, both college graduates, do not live with their parents, but police said their brother, Jayant, does. Mulrenan said police were looking for the son to be sure he was safe. But the homicide detectives huddled outside his house last night were hoping to ask him questions about more than just his health.
A news report mentioned that there is some concern that Jayant Kadian might “harm himself”, adding to the urgency regarding finding him. The same neighbor who praised Mrs. Kadian stated that she had been trying to secure help for her only son’s mental health.
Police described Jayant Kadian as 6 feet 1 inch tall and 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. They said he may be driving a black 1994 Geo Prism with Virginia license plate ZHL-1262.
Police and reporters have taken great pains to emphasize that Jayant is not a suspect.
I’m sorrowfully hoping that he isn’t responsible for this tragedy and that he will be found soon. I wouldn’t want his poor family to have to suffer any tragedy greater than the staggering one they already bear.
:+:
UPDATE:
NBC4 news reports that former JMU student Jayant Kadian appeared in a Fairfax County courtroom on Monday. Kadian’s tearful family was present; they understandably chose not to speak to the press. Kadian’s lawyers and family are considering an Insanity defense for the 21-year old suspect.
Jayant Kadian was scheduled to attend a counseling session with his parents on the day his mother Kiran Kadian was murdered.
Kadian is next expected to appear in court on May 2, the date of his preliminary hearing.
Here’s a video clip of the local news report.
Terrible. I live in DC, will have to track this on the news. Any discussion on what the possible motive is for the murder – maybe robbery?
manish, yes, i think it’s the same news report that is linked in the post above, via “news report”. thanks for pointing out that a video is available, i should’ve done that. 🙂
timepass, i haven’t heard anything about a motive…yet. i’ll update if and when i hear anything.
for those who are confused by my apparently ambiguous writing:
based on what i saw, listened to and read, dr. aulakh has nothing to do with the murder of kiran kadian.
the fact that dr. kadian (the victim’s husband) disagreed with dr. aulakh has nothing to do with this murder. dr. kadian is somewhat prominent in this area, and that’s the only reason why i (and the washington post AND nbc 4) mentioned his extra-medical activities.
i am sorry if i implied anything negative or insinuated that there could be a motive or any other factors other than those discussed by various news sources.
to be quite frank– and i’m sad to even type this– if anything, the news reports i’ve seen make me think that the son is the prime suspect. 🙁
but i’m neither hercule poirot, matlock nor t.j. hooker, so…let’s hope i’m wrong. 🙂
bad spin – anna. this was ur doosra – be warned not to repeat it again.
The son has been arrested and charged with the murder. He had blood on his clothes.
this is horrible…. sadly i knew kiran aunty… rest in peace…
**i can still remember that one time when she was @ my house and mentioned how she really wants her daughters (one’s a lawyer and the other is a doc i think) to get married asap~ this is insanely horrible~~
yeah I knew her too, and her son the killer..used to play video games at parties with him. Never would have thought he was capable of murder, but he did have random outbursts at times.
This is too bad, their family was extremely nice and well respected god rest her soul.
He graduated from Langley HS in 2002. He used to be in our group of friends, took one hit of acid a few years ago, tripped for 36 hours and didn’t come back. He wasn’t the same. Always had a bad relationship with his mom. Argued with her over anything, hated her.
KJ, dk and some1,
thank you for being so willing to share your memories and experiences. your comments add context to this utterly tragic story, and while my prayers and thoughts are with the Kadian family right now, i am so sorry for your loss as well. Kirin Kadian sounds like she was a wonderful Auntie. i can only imagine how many are affected by her passing.
i can’t stop thinking about the stigma mental illness has in society, especially ours. i keep wondering, “what if”. i.e. “what if they got him help years ago?” pointless, i know. but i’m haunted despite that…
🙁
I am deeply saddened by what has occured to the family cannot even possibly imagine what they are going through right now. I would like to send flowers or do something to help them get through this difficult time. Please let me know of anything that is being done. Thanks
I live across the street from jay and his family since they moved in. And I went to school with him for 8 years I guess. He was a nice guy, a pot head, he always gave me a discount. I did not think he did it, now I do-what the hell happened to him? He was funny guy, kinda a loner, but still. He’s gone, you know, he can’t get out of this and now his family will probably blot him out, he was always the black sheep b/c he wasnt a dr or lawyer. Its gotta be hard to have that pressure. I never thought he was crazy, just a normal stupid kid-I don’t know, this freaks me out a lot. peace
KIRAN WAS THE MOST WONDERFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD . SHE WAS A DEVOTED MOTHER , DAUGHTER , FRIEND , AND TO ME A BUA . I NEVER THOUGHT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN . SHE HAD JUST VISITED INDIA 15 DAYS BEFORE THE MURDER . SHE WAS LIKE A GODESS IN HUMAN FLESH . I PRAY TO GOD MAY HER SOUL LAST IN PEACE AND JAY,S IN HELL .
WE ALL MISS YOU . YOU MAY HAVE LEFT US BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
This is extremely tragic. I just don’t understand how someone could have a psychotic break to the point where they want to kill their mother. It seems like basic human instinct would supercede any urge to harm the woman who bore you. I feel sorry for the entire family – they have to live with this horror as long as they live. What makes it particularly shocking is the pride the Indian community (at least here in SoCal) take in how they raise children – it shows that tragedy has no racial or ethinic boundaries. Terrible.
whatever happened to this? does anyone know if he got mental help after this happened? such a shame…hope the family is coping with the tragedy. prayers are with all.
My children live in the US and they happened to inform me about this tragic news. Believe me nothing could have been worse. Kiran was a well rounded personality, with the right blend of style, emotions, humility and love. She was very eager to have a son after two daughters. She made a wish for a son and on his birth even went to Tirupathi to get her head shaved off . I personally believe that when the desire of a male child in the cultural indian context heightens, the boy in such a family may not receive a well balanced environment to grow in. And I presume that is what happened to Jayant. I can just silently mourn the death of a friend… A dear friend who will live in my heart till I do…. Beyond which I hope to pass on her memories to my kids to carry on with. I will love and miss her always. No punishment to Jayant can get his wonderful ma back… I hope the family lives happily, in peace ever after