In the summer of 2020, a quiet neighborhood in Avon, Indiana, was shaken by a tragedy that unfolded within the walls of a family home. Seven-year-old Shiv Patel, a young boy known for his bright spirit, lost his life on July 5th. The devastating event came to light when police were called for a welfare check at a residence in the Lexington Woods subdivision.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered a heartbreaking scene.
Inside the home, they found the bodies of young Shiv and his 41-year-old mother, Manisha Singhal. Investigators determined that Manisha Singhal had shot and killed her son before taking her own life in what was ruled a murder-suicide.
The motive for this tragic act is believed to have stemmed from an ongoing and difficult child custody dispute. The Avon Police Department, with assistance from the Indiana State Police, conducted the investigation. Authorities assured the public that there was no further threat to the community as the incident was contained within the home and the sole suspect was deceased.
Shiv was remembered as a social, loving, and talented child who enjoyed a variety of activities and had a curiosity that brought joy to those who knew him. The community was left to grapple with the profound loss of a young life cut short under the most distressing of circumstances. In the wake of the event, support was offered to the staff and classmates at the school Shiv attended to help them cope with the tragedy.
