A property developer died after plunging from a tower block in south London alongside her husband and their nine-year-old son, an inquest has been told. Aditi Vijay Paralkar, 46, Rakesh Narayan Pai, 47, and their son Sid Rene Pai-Paralkar lost their lives after plummeting from the Uncle residential tower on Churchyard Row in Elephant and Castle on May 27.
Emergency crews were called at 7.29am following reports that people had fallen from height, with the trio pronounced dead at the scene despite attempts at resuscitation. Opening an inquest into the fatalities at London Inner South Coroner's Court on Wednesday, assistant coroner Michelle Haste revealed Ms Paralkar and Mr Pai, a project leader, perished from "multiple injuries", while the cause of death for Sid remains to be established.
Police Investigation Underway
Providing testimony at the hearing, Detective Sergeant Simon Monga, from the Metropolitan Police, confirmed a police inquiry continues as pathology and forensic examinations are underway and they are scrutinising evidence to determine what happened. He noted it will require "at least six months" for the paediatric pathologist to compile a report on Sid's death. Mr Monga said he was called to the scene shortly after the family perished following "they fell from height on to another building", explaining their bodies were retrieved by the fire brigade.
The assistant coroner postponed the inquest until the investigation is concluded, to ensure it does not "interfere" with police proceedings. Postponing the inquest, Ms Haste said: "I am very content to allow the police to have plenty of time to continue their investigation into these very tragic deaths."
Background of the Family
Earlier this year, we reported how the couple, originally from India and with no family in the UK, both worked as consultants. Friends said Aditi, known as Adi, had struggled with depression and other mental health issues linked to Sid's condition. Sid, who was born in the UK, was unable to speak, was partially disabled and suffered from learning difficulties and kidney disease. He was homeschooled, with Aditi taking on most of the responsibility for his education, reports MailOnline.
According to some reports, the tragedy occurred after Sid, the couple's only child, was denied further medical treatment and discharged from hospital, leaving his parents devastated. Friends said the family moved to India around six years ago to seek specialist treatment for Sid and to allow Aditi to receive support from relatives and friends in Mumbai. They are believed to have returned to Britain last year after doctors were unable to improve his condition.
Community Reaction
One friend said: “It was a huge stress for both of them but Adi in particular struggled to cope with what was going on. She had no family in the UK and also did a very demanding job, so it was very difficult for her to manage everything. “It took a huge toll on her mental health, and I think it may have just got too much for her. They were a wonderful family, and we are all very shocked by what’s happened.”
The couple had moved to London in the early 2000s after attending top universities in India. They ran their own consultancy business and were temporarily living in the high-rise development while planning to combine two flats they owned in Clapham into a family home. Neighbours described them as a popular and well-liked couple. One resident said: “They were a lovely couple, and everybody really liked them. They had no family in the UK so having good friends was very important to them and that’s why they wanted to return to live in Clapham.”
Colleagues described Rakesh as a “people’s person” who volunteered with charities supporting people with dementia and visual impairments. Aditi, a construction consultant, was described by a former boss as “loyal and hardworking” and a “pleasure” to be around.
