Indian Man Charged in 2017 US Murder of Wife and Son via Laptop DNA

More than eight years after the tragic deaths of Sasikala Narra, 38, and her six-year-old son Anish in their New Jersey apartment, US authorities have charged an Indian man in connection with the brutal killings. The suspect, Nazeer Hameed, 43, has been identified as a former colleague of Sasikala’s husband, Hanu Narra, at a New Jersey-based company. Investigators say Hameed fled to India following the murders and remained there until authorities tied him to the crime through a groundbreaking DNA match.

The Discovery That Cracked the Case

On March 23, 2017, Hanu Narra returned home to the Fox Meadow Apartments in Maple Shade, New Jersey, to discover his wife and son fatally stabbed. Both victims bore defensive wounds, indicating a struggle during the attack. Police collected multiple blood samples from the scene, one of which did not match the victims or the husband, eventually becoming a crucial piece of evidence in the long-dormant investigation.

Hameed became a person of interest early on due to previous stalking allegations against Hanu Narra, alongside the fact that he lived within walking distance of the victims’ apartment. Six months after the murders, Hameed returned to India but continued his employment with Cognizant Technologies, leveraging his technological expertise to evade authorities.

The Role of Technology in Solving the Crime

Authorities pursued Hameed for years, seeking a DNA sample. After he refused, US investigators obtained a court order in 2024 compelling Cognizant to provide Hameed’s company-issued laptop. A DNA sample from the laptop matched the unknown blood droplet collected at the crime scene, conclusively tying Hameed to the murders. This breakthrough highlights how digital forensics can finally bring resolution to cold cases that span continents and years.

Alleged Motive and Current Proceedings

Investigators are still piecing together Hameed’s precise motive, but preliminary findings suggest he held a personal vendetta against Hanu Narra. Authorities in the US are now coordinating with the Department of Justice to extradite Hameed from India so he can face murder charges and related offences.

Patrick Thornton, Chief of Investigations at Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, emphasized the significance of the case, noting that perseverance, technology, and international cooperation were critical in ensuring justice for the Narra family after nearly a decade of uncertainty.

A Case That Resonates Globally

This case underscores the power of digital evidence in modern criminal investigations and highlights the complexities of pursuing justice across borders. Families of victims often face years of anguish, and breakthroughs like this provide hope that even the oldest cold cases can be resolved.

As authorities move forward with extradition and prosecution, the story of Sasikala and Anish Narra stands as a reminder of the persistence required to seek justice and the evolving tools law enforcement can utilize in an interconnected world.