Indian-origin teen charged with killing mother, brother in US; allegedly used ChatGPT for 'fantasies' searches

A 17-year-old Indian-origin teenager has been charged with allegedly killing his mother and 14-year-old brother at their home in Acton, Massachusetts, according to a report by The Times of India. The teenager, identified as Arjun, faces two murder charges, as well as multiple counts of assault and battery. He is also accused of taking and using his mother's car without permission after the killings.

Police said Arjun allegedly attacked his mother, Sudha Venkatesan, 45, and his younger brother, Siddharth Aravind, inside their Martha Lane home on Tuesday. He then reportedly left the house in his mother's vehicle.

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Authorities were alerted after Arjun's father called police shortly after 6:37 pm on August 11. He had been unable to get in touch with his family. A tutor who was due to visit the house also could not reach anyone.

According to investigators, the father had spoken to Sudha earlier that morning before leaving for work. Siddharth was last seen at around noon.

When officers reached the residence, they found both Sudha and Siddharth dead. Siddharth was found on the first floor, while Sudha was located in the finished basement. Police said both had "obvious trauma".

The exact cause and manner of death have not yet been released by the chief medical examiner. Investigators are also examining what weapon may have been used.

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Arjun was not at the house when officers arrived. Investigators believed he had left in his mother's vehicle and launched a search for him.

He was located early Wednesday in the vehicle at a parking lot in Wayland, Massachusetts. Police had gone there after responding to an unrelated alarm. Arjun was arrested without incident.

Police cite concerning online searches

The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office said the investigation had also uncovered what it described as concerning behaviour by the teenager before the incident.

"The subsequent investigation indicates that Arjun had recently been demonstrating concerning behaviour, including using the internet and ChatGPT to make searches for theoretical ideas or fantasies regarding killing his family,” the statement said.

Arjun was initially expected to appear in Lowell juvenile court on Wednesday. However, that court does not have jurisdiction over murder cases.

He will instead be arraigned in Concord District Court on the murder charges and related assault and battery counts. The charges linked to the alleged unauthorised use and theft of the vehicle are also part of the case.

(With inputs from TOI)