Mass. teen accused of killing his mother, younger brother used AI to explore dark stories, DA says
Senior Digital Editor/Producer, WCVB.com
ACTON, Mass. —
A Massachusetts teenager who was located after an overnight search is accused of killing his mother and younger brother, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.
Ryan said the teenager had previously been using the internet and ChatGPT to explore “gothic novel” stories about the deaths of his family.
Arjun Aravind, 17, was sought after police were called to a home on Martha Lane in Acton on Tuesday for a well-being check that was called in by his father after a scheduled tutor was unable to access the home. Ryan said that officers found a woman and a teenage boy dead inside the residence.
The victims were identified as Sudha Venkatesan, mother of Arjun Aravind, and 14-year-old Siddharth Aravind. Venkatesan was found in the basement and the younger brother was found on the first floor, Ryan said.
The DA said the manner and cause of death would be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Officials announced a search for Arjun Aravind and his mother’s 2014 green Honda Accord.
Early Thursday, Ryan said that Wayland police found the car while responding to an unrelated alarm call. The DA said that Arjun Aravind was found inside the car.
Ryan announced that Arjun Aravind will be arraigned on some charges Wednesday in juvenile court and that he will face the murder counts and other charges in Concord District Court.
“It’s an incredibly dark day for this community, for this school system,” Ryan said.
“It’s just very scary to know that this is happening right in our neighborhood,” one resident said.
“I feel bad about what happened. It’s a tragedy, sickening, you know. If I could have helped I would have helped,” another resident said.
Acton Police Chief Douglas Sturniolo expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and promised to keep residents safe.