SAN MATEO, California – Authorities in San Mateo, California are investigating a tragic incident involving a Malayali family, which has been determined to be a case of murder-suicide. The grim discovery was made on a Saturday afternoon, with Alice Benziger found to have succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, while her husband, Anand Henry, was determined to have suffered from a single gunshot wound. Police have identified Anand Henry as the main suspect, indicating that he allegedly shot his wife before taking his own life. Fortunately, the children did not appear to have been harmed by gunfire or show signs of physical trauma, with the investigation now focusing on determining the motive behind the heartbreaking event.
According to Jeanine Luna of the San Mateo Police Department, the cause of death of the children is still pending confirmation pending further pathology. There are suspicions that the children may have been poisoned. A 9mm handgun, legally belonging to Anand Henry, was recovered from the scene of the incident. The handgun was located on the bathroom floor where the bodies of Anand and Alice were discovered.
Both Henry and Benziger succumbed to gunshot wounds, according to a police statement issued in collaboration with the San Mateo County Crime Lab and the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office. Through fingerprint confirmation, the identities of the adults have been established, while the boys have been identified through familial visual confirmation.
Authorities have ruled out any prior history of violence at the family home. The San Mateo Police Department had only responded to the residence since 2020 for reports of a mountain lion in the yard. The tragic incident is believed to have occurred on a Saturday afternoon, with police continuing their investigation into the motive behind the devastating turn of events.
Addressing the welfare check process, Jeanine Luna explained that it is a routine procedure carried out for various reasons, such as concerns raised by neighbors, friends, or family members who have not heard from individuals for an extended period. The completion of such checks is crucial in ensuring the well-being and safety of residents within a community.