Tragic murder-Suicide in California: Former meta engineer kills family of four

A tragic incident unfolded in San Mateo, California, where a family of four was found dead inside their suburban home in a suspected murder-suicide. The details of the case have shocked the local community and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The victims and suspect

The father, identified as Anand Sujith Henry, a 37-year-old former engineer at Meta, was found to have fatally shot his 38-year-old wife, Alice Benzinger, in a bathtub before also killing their twin 4-year-old boys. The bodies of the children were discovered in a bedroom, and it is believed that Henry then turned the gun on himself.

The manner in which the boys, named Noah and Neithan, died remains unclear, as there were no signs of trauma on their bodies. Sources have suggested possibilities such as smothering, strangulation, or a lethal overdose. This tragic loss of innocent lives has left the community in shock and mourning.

Discovery of the Grisly scene

The San Mateo Police Department was alerted to the situation when they received a welfare check call for the family's residence on Monday morning. Upon arrival, officers found no signs of forced entry and eventually entered the home through an unlocked window, where they were met with the devastating sight of the deceased family members. A 9mm pistol and a loaded magazine were also recovered from the bathroom, indicating the weapon used in the tragic event. It was confirmed that the firearm had been legally purchased several months prior.

Investigation and reactions

Law enforcement officials have indicated that, based on the information available, this appears to be an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public. The San Mateo community has been deeply affected by the news, with one neighbor expressing disbelief, stating that such tragic deaths are a rarity in the area.

Background of the family

Anand Sujith Henry was a former software engineering manager at both Meta and Google, and had recently departed from Meta to establish his own AI company. His wife, Alice Benzinger, was a data science manager at Zillow. The couple had previously filed for divorce in December 2016, but the divorce proceedings seemingly did not come to fruition, and they moved into their San Mateo home in 2020 to raise their two young children.

The couple's decision to purchase their $2.1 million home in 2020 has also come to light, adding further context to their lives leading up to this heartbreaking event.

Looking ahead

The details of this tragedy continue to unfold as the investigation progresses. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Anand Sujith Henry, Alice Benzinger, and their twin boys have left the community grappling with shock and sorrow. As authorities work to piece together the events that led to this devastating outcome, the San Mateo community remains united in mourning the loss of this family.