206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Prabhas Sunkara

Death by Force
Case Description
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In a quiet West Des Moines, Iowa neighborhood, a tragedy unfolded on June 15, 2019, ending the life of 14-year-old Prabhas Sunkara. The young male, of Indian-American descent, was discovered deceased inside his family's home alongside his mother, Lavanya Sunkara, 41, and his younger brother, Suhas, who was 11 years old. The scene that greeted law enforcement was one of immense sorrow, as all three family members had succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds.

The investigation soon revealed a four ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (9)
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  • https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/cms/DV_Homicide_List_93018_014CDC2E8DA89.pdf
  • Des Moines Register: Police: West Des Moines family died of gunshot wounds; man died by suicide
    •     ...View 7 additional sources
    Victim Details

    Prabhas Sunkara

    Male

    Southwest Asian (Indian / Pakistani)

    West Des Moines

    IA

    2019-06-15

    14

    Prabhas

    Sunkara

    11/05/2025

    Forum Posts (3)
    I can't stop thinking about the Sunkara family's situation and how difficult it must be for their re... ...Read More
    06/25/2024
    I've been thinking a lot about the Sunkara family tragedy, and can't stop wondering about the mental... ...Read More
    06/25/2024
    I've been thinking a lot about the Sunkara case in West Des Moines. I just can't get over how someon... ...Read More
    05/11/2024
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