By Tiffany Williams –
ACTON, Mass. — A 17-year-old Acton teenager has been charged with two counts of murder after authorities say his mother and 14-year-old brother were found dead inside their family home, setting off a search that ended early Wednesday when police found the teenager inside his mother’s vehicle in Wayland.
Arjun Aravind, 17, is charged in connection with the deaths of his mother, Sudha Venkatesan, 45, and his brother, Siddharth Aravind, 14, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Acton Police Chief Douglas Sturniolo announced.
Aravind faces two counts of murder, two counts of assault and battery on a household or family member, two counts of assault and battery, use of a vehicle without authority and theft of a motor vehicle.
Authorities say the investigation has also uncovered concerning internet activity.
Investigators say Aravind had recently been demonstrating concerning behavior that included using the internet and ChatGPT to make searches involving theoretical ideas or fantasies about killing his family.
Authorities allege he fatally assaulted his mother and younger brother inside their Martha Lane home Tuesday before fleeing.
The investigation began shortly after 6:37 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, when Acton Police received a call from Aravind’s father.
He had been unable to reach his family.
A tutor who was expected at the house had arrived but was also unable to make contact with anyone inside, according to authorities. Aravind’s father had last been in contact with his wife early Tuesday morning before leaving for work. Siddharth was last seen around noon.
Police went to the Martha Lane home.
Inside, they found two victims dead.
Siddharth was located on the first floor. Venkatesan was found in the finished basement.
Arjun was nowhere inside the house.
Investigators determined that he had allegedly fled in his mother’s 2014 green Honda Accord.
The search was on.
Law enforcement agencies and members of the public were notified to be on the lookout as investigators attempted to find the teenager and the vehicle.
That search ended early Wednesday morning in Wayland.
Wayland Police were responding to an unrelated alarm call in a parking lot on Andrew Avenue when officers located the Honda Accord. Arjun was inside the vehicle.
Police took him into custody without incident.
Authorities have not yet disclosed exactly how Venkatesan and Siddharth died. Both victims suffered obvious trauma, but the exact cause and manner of their deaths remain pending with the Chief Medical Examiner.
Investigators are also still working to determine what weapon or weapons were used.
The case now moves into two different court proceedings because Aravind is 17.
Authorities said Aravind will be arraigned in Lowell Juvenile Court Wednesday morning. Because Juvenile Court does not have jurisdiction over a murder charge, prosecutors said he will likely be arraigned on the murder and related assault charges in Concord District Court on Thursday.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Acton Police and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office are investigating the deaths.
Police departments from Harvard, Littleton, Lincoln, Maynard, Sudbury, Wayland, Westford and Weston also assisted investigators.
A mother and her 14-year-old son are dead. Her 17-year-old son is now accused of killing them.
What happened inside that Martha Lane home — including exactly how the two victims were killed and what weapon or weapons were used — remains under investigation.