Two found dead from suspected murder-suicide in Columbus

This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741.

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — Two were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide when Columbus police responded to reports of a neighbor’s children unable to get inside their apartment.

At around 5:33 p.m., officers were called to the 2600 block of Lauffer Ravines Drive in the Northern Woods neighborhood for a well-being check. When they arrived at the scene, Columbus police reported finding two children, ages 6 and 8, who said they’d been unable to get into their apartment since the older two were dropped off by their school bus.

With help from a maintenance person, officers were able to get into the apartment. Once inside, they found a man and woman, both in their 30s, dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Homicide detectives are currently investigating the deaths, but are treating it as a murder-suicide. They believe the man shot the woman before shooting himself. Police identified the woman as 31-year-old Sowmya Balasubramanian and the man as 38-year-old Balasubramanian Kathavarayan.

The couple’s three children were taken to Franklin County Children Services with the agency asking the public on Wednesday to identify relatives or close family friends. FCCS says to call them at 614-229-7000 if you have any information.

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