Luxury apartment block plunge was ‘murder suicide’: Victims were mother, father and terminally ill son

The names of a mother, father and their seriously ill nine-year-old son who jumped to their deaths from a multi-storey luxury apartment building in what is believed to be a murder-suicide have been announced.

Aditi, Rakesh and their son Sid, who is believed to have been born in England, were living on the 36th floor of the 45-storey UNCLE skyscraper in Elephant and Castle, south London.

Emergency services rushed to the building last Wednesday after receiving reports that the family had fallen from a height.

However, despite all efforts, all three were pronounced dead at the scene.

Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle told The Sun: ‘A family of three is a terrible tragedy. Too bad. Some voters saw this.

‘The claim was that the child was born in the UK with serious illnesses; police concluded this contributed to the appalling decision.’

He said the couple is believed to have been born in India in 1979. He added that their son is believed to have kidney disease and is being home-schooled.

Mr Coyle also wrote a letter to residents of the building, which bills itself as ‘London’s tallest residential building’, the day after the tragedy.

In his message, he confirmed that it was believed no one else was wanted by police in connection with the investigation.

‘Sadly, in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday 27 May, police and the London Ambulance Service were called to Churchyard Row after a horrific incident involving a family falling many floors from the UNCLE building,’ he said.

‘In this terrible tragedy a child, woman and man were discovered with great trauma and despite the best efforts of officers and paramedics performing CPR, all three people were pronounced dead at the scene.

‘I am so sorry that this terrible incident occurred in your home.

‘The tragic circumstances are not yet fully known, but police believe it was a suicide and are not looking for anyone else at this time (although inquiries are ongoing).

‘I can’t imagine what situation could have led a family to this horrific incident but my thoughts are with their families and loved ones as well as their friends and anyone who knew them locally.’

People living in the block said they were unaware of the identities of the deceased family.

‘There is zero sense of community here. ‘No one knows their neighbors,’ said one resident.

Residents reported hearing ‘yells and screams’ from the family’s home in the weeks before the fall.

A woman who lives in the building said: ‘I’ve been hearing shouting and screaming for the last two weeks. It has stopped since Wednesday.

‘The police knocked on the door and asked if I heard shouting and screaming. ‘I told them yes and assumed it was a local.’

The family lived in the Highpoint tower, which houses 458 ostentatious apartments rented mostly by international students from wealthy backgrounds in East Asia.

Some are skeptical about the ‘fall’. One of them said: ‘It is impossible for even a tall adult to fall through the glass barriers here. Barriers are higher than chest height.’

The day after the tragedy, an email was sent to residents warning of increased police presence and temporary road closures.

It read: ‘Dear Residents, You may have seen some news about the tragic incident at the UNCLE Elephant and Castle on Wednesday morning.

‘There was loss of life in the incident; Our thoughts are with the family, friends and everyone affected by this tragic event.

‘We recognize that such incidents can cause concern and distress in the community and our thoughts are with anyone who may have been affected.

‘Specialist and special teams from the Metropolitan Police Service are currently investigating the incident and will remain in the area over the coming days while investigations continue.

‘While this important work is being carried out you may notice increased police presence, temporary road closures or access restricted in some locations.

‘We understand that incidents such as this can have a significant impact on individuals, families and the wider community.

‘Below are some links to support services available for residents who may be affected, including emotional health support and guidance on accessing further help.’

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said last week the deaths were considered ‘unexpected’.

‘Detectives are investigating after three people died after falling from a height on Wednesday,’ they said.

‘At 7.29am officers from the London Ambulance Service, London Air Ambulance and London Fire Brigade responded to a high-rise apartment block in Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, following reports of people falling from a height.

At the scene, it was determined that three people, one man, one woman and one child, unfortunately lost their lives despite the interventions of the first responders.

‘Their deaths are currently being treated as an unexpected incident. No other injuries were reported. Efforts are continuing to officially identify the dead.

‘Relatives have been informed and are being supported by specialist police.’

Southwark Coroner’s Court told the Daily Mail: ‘This matter has been referred to this office.

The block is said to be London’s tallest residential building and has views “that would make the Shard jealous”.

Each apartment features a spacious living, dining and kitchen area equipped with premium Siemens appliances, Danish design furniture and a private yellow balcony with a glass barrier.

‘The Metropolitan Police are currently conducting their investigation and we are providing assistance where necessary. ‘No further comment will be made at this stage.’

The UNCLE building, which has approximately 458 opulent apartments, offers residents a gym, 24/7 concierge and security, co-working space and underground parking.

The block now includes a 300-seat theater leased to Southwark Playhouse, as well as a sky theater with incredible audiences that would ‘make the Shard jealous’ over London.

Residents can also see the London Eye, Wembley Stadium and the River Thames from their balconies.

The apartments are mostly rented by international students and middle-class young professionals from affluent backgrounds in East Asia.

The monthly rent for one-bedroom studio flats in the block is £2,700, while the rent for two-bedroom flats is £3,800.

Each apartment features a spacious living, dining and kitchen area equipped with premium Siemens appliances, Danish design furniture and a private yellow balcony with a glass barrier.

Many residents are students studying at local universities such as Kings College London, London South Bank and the University of Arts, all within walking distance.

Only a few families live in modern apartments.

Construction of the 142-meter tower was completed in 2018. More than 500 refugees were once housed here, and the building was called “a hotel from hell”.

The block was known as the Highpoint tower before it was redeveloped by Canadian property group Realstar Living and rebranded as UNCLE Elephant and Castle.