Highlights:
- Priyatharsini Natarajan charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
- Victims are her sons, aged 5 and 7; identities pending confirmation.
- Arrest includes one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful use.
- Children found unconscious; life-saving measures were unsuccessful.
- Investigation led by Hillsborough Police and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
US authorities have arrested a 35-year-old Indian-origin woman in Hillsborough, New Jersey, in connection with the deaths of her two young sons. Priyatharsini Natarajan faces charges of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
According to Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, the incident occurred on January 13 at approximately 6:45 pm. The children’s father reportedly called 911 after returning home from work to find his sons, aged 5 and 7, unconscious. The father told authorities that “his wife did something to them.”
Responding police officers arrived at the residence along with Natarajan and the father. Officers discovered the children in a bedroom and immediately began life-saving efforts with the assistance of medical personnel. Unfortunately, the efforts were unsuccessful, and both children were pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities have not released the children’s names, pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner's Office.
Following the incident, Natarajan was detained by Hillsborough Police and transported to the Somerset County Jail, where she is awaiting a detention hearing. The investigation is being conducted by detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and medical investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office.
A postmortem examination is scheduled to determine the exact cause and manner of death and to confirm the victims’ identities. Prosecutor McDonald emphasized that the investigation remains active, and authorities are working diligently to gather all necessary evidence related to this tragic case.
The case has shocked the local community, highlighting the severity of the alleged actions and the swift response from law enforcement and medical teams. Further updates are expected once the postmortem and ongoing investigation are completed.
