The inquest into the deaths of Rakesh Pai, 47, his wife Aditi Paralkar, 46, and their son Sid, nine, opened on [Date of hearing, derived from context if possible, otherwise omitted]. The family fell from the balcony of their 36th-floor apartment at Highpoint tower in Elephant and Castle on the morning of May 27. They were pronounced dead within 20 minutes of each other by air ambulance medics.
Police identified the family by comparing bodies at the scene with passport photographs. PC Jack Morgan administered CPR to Sid before the child was pronounced dead. Rakesh Pai was pronounced dead at 7:43 a.m., Aditi at 8:05 a.m., and Sid one minute later.
Detective Sergeant Simon Monga stated that the three individuals had died upon his arrival. Firefighters recovered the bodies, which fell from height onto an adjoining building a few stories up. The post-mortem examinations were inconclusive, and the investigation is awaiting further results, including toxicology reports, which are expected to take approximately six months.
Assistant Coroner Michelle Haste noted that all three died from "multiple injuries" and stated there were reasons to believe the deaths were unnatural. The coroner offered sincere condolences to a family member present via video link.
Originally from India, the couple were described as high-earning consultants with no close family in the UK. Friends indicated that Aditi had been struggling with depression and severe stress related to Sid's complex health needs. Sid had learning difficulties, kidney disease, and was partially handicapped. The family had reportedly sought specialist medical help for Sid in India before returning to Britain last year.
The family were temporarily staying at the Highpoint tower, where two-bedroom apartments can cost up to £3,800 per month. They had previously lived in Clapham, South West London, and were planning to convert two flats there into a family home. Neighbours described them as "lovely."
Metropolitan Police are treating the deaths as "unexpected." Detectives are investigating the circumstances of the fall, which occurred on May 27. The family were found in the courtyard of the tower block. Emergency services attended the scene but could not save them. Some residents reported hearing shouting from the family's apartment in the weeks leading up to the incident.