Authorities Probe Suspected Foul Play in Tragic Deaths of Indian-Origin Family

Shock and mourning are swimming in a pool in the whole of Ontario, just north of Toronto, after an Indian-origin family of three died in a house fire. On March 7, the home located on 99 Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive revealed the bodies of 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo, his 47-year-old wife Shilpa Kotha, and their 16-year-old daughter, Mahek.

Originally reported as a residential fire, questions quickly turned toward the cause of the fire when authorities found the conditions to be suspicious. Taryn Young, the Peel Police Constable, is conducting an investigation into the fire, suspecting its deliberate setting. Neighbors like Kenneth Yousaf could only stand by and look at the terrible sight—a house on fire.

On top of all the sky-high efforts of his people to extinguish it, burned human remains were found within the charred remnants of the house. A year later, various investigations and confirmations from the Acting Chief Coroner pricked out the victims to be Rajiv Warikoo, Shilpa Kotha, and Mahek Warikoo.

The community remembered Rajiv Warikoo and his promising athlete daughter Mahek for their contributions. State Department investigators continue to analyze information about the fire, urging anyone with relevant information or footage to come forward. The community has been shocked by the horrible incident and is still yearning for the answers and closure such a loss provides.