A mother who died alongside her husband and son after falling from their 36th-floor luxury apartment in London has been pictured for the first time, as friends speak out about the family's struggles.
Tragic fall from Highpoint tower
Aditi Paralkar, 46, her husband Rakesh Pai, 47, and their son Sid plunged 400 feet from the balcony of their apartment at the Highpoint tower block in Elephant and Castle on the morning of May 27. The family's deaths have shocked the community and sparked an investigation.
Friends reveal mental health issues
Friends have now told the Daily Mail that Aditi had been struggling with mental health issues prior to the tragedy. They also reported that the family's terminally ill son Sid had been discharged from hospital after being denied medical treatment, which may have contributed to the devastating events.
The couple, who both studied at top Indian universities before moving to London in the early 2000s, were highly successful in their careers. Rakesh worked as a finance consultant, while Aditi held senior roles in the construction industry. They were also dedicated caregivers for their son Sid, who was born with disabilities including an inability to speak, learning difficulties, and kidney disease.
Community in shock
A friend said: "They were a wonderful family, and we are all very shocked by what's happened." Another added: "Hopefully the inquest will get to the bottom of what happened because at the moment, none of us have got a clue." An inquest will determine the exact circumstances of the deaths, though no date has been set.
Colleagues remember kind-hearted couple
Colleagues described Rakesh as a "people's person" who volunteered with the Alzheimer's Society and the Thomas Pocklington Trust, which supports blind people. A former boss called Aditi "loyal and hardworking" and a "pleasure" to be around.
The family had been living temporarily in the Highpoint tower and were planning to convert two Clapham flats they owned into a single home. A 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."
Police investigation ongoing
The Metropolitan Police are treating the deaths as "unexpected." A spokesperson said: "Detectives are investigating after three people died following a fall from height on Wednesday. At 7.29am officers, the London Ambulance Service, London's Air Ambulance and the London Fire Brigade attended a high-rise block of flats on Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle."
"At the scene, three people – a man, a woman and a child – were found to have sadly died, despite resuscitation attempts. Their deaths are currently being treated as unexpected. There were no other reported injuries. Work is underway to formally identify those who died. Their next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers."
Police have urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting CAD 1613/27MAY.
