In the weeks before a family of three fell to their deaths from a south London tower block, neighbours reported hearing screaming and shouting from their flat. The tragedy has raised questions about the events leading up to the incident on 27 May, when Rakesh Pai, 47, Aditi Paralkar, 46, and their nine-year-old son Sid died after falling from the 36th floor of the Highpoint building in Elephant and Castle.
Sid was born with severe illnesses, including kidney disease, learning difficulties and partial disability, and was unable to speak. According to local MP Neil Coyle, police believe the boy's condition contributed to what he described as his parents' 'horrendous decision'. Reports suggest the family had been denied further medical care for Sid, who was discharged from hospital to die at home.
The couple, originally from India, had moved back to the UK last year after living in Mumbai for six years to seek specialist care for Sid. A friend said the stress of caring for their son took a huge toll on Aditi's mental health, as she had no family in the UK and a demanding job. 'It may have just got too much for her,' the friend said.
Some friends have questioned the murder-suicide theory, noting that Rakesh appeared composed and was handling the situation well. However, a neighbour told police she heard 'shouting and screaming' from the family's flat in the weeks before the deaths. The family had only been living in the Highpoint tower temporarily, planning to convert two flats they owned in Clapham into a single home.
The Metropolitan Police are treating the deaths as unexpected, and an inquest will determine the exact circumstances. Colleagues described Rakesh as a 'people's person' who volunteered with Alzheimer's Society and a charity supporting blind people, while Aditi was remembered as 'loyal and hardworking'.
