Police solve eight-year-old murder case of Maple Shade woman and her son.

In Maple Shade, New Jersey, the long-standing mystery surrounding the brutal murder of Sasikala Narra and her six-year-old son, Anish, has been resolved after an eight-year investigation. The shocking crime, which took place in March 2017, left the community in shock following the discovery of their bodies in their apartment, which had been stained with blood from a violent stabbing incident.

Authorities have formally charged 38-year-old Nazeer Hameed with multiple counts of murder in connection with the double stabbing. Prosecutors revealed that Hameed reportedly fled to India after committing the crimes and remains there currently. His connection to the victims runs deep; he was a colleague of Hanumantha Rao Narra, the husband and father of the victims, at Cognizant, a technology firm with offices in North Jersey and Philadelphia. Moreover, Hameed lived in the same apartment complex as the Narra family.

The investigation led by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office was thorough, spanning several years and involving both local and federal law enforcement agencies. Chief Investigator Patrick Thornton indicated that, although he could not disclose Hameed’s potential motives, there was evidence he had been stalking the family prior to the attacks. Following the incident, Hameed allegedly utilized his technical skills to evade capture.

The details surrounding the attack are harrowing; Thornton described the brutality as unprecedented, highlighting how Hameed waited for Hanumantha to leave the apartment before launching a violent assault on Sasikala and Anish. The young boy suffered severe injuries, nearly losing his life in an unimaginable manner.

The prosecution’s case against Hameed received a significant breakthrough in 2024 when investigators were able to extract DNA from Hameed’s laptop, confirming a match with blood found at the crime scene. Prior attempts to compel Hameed to submit a DNA sample had been unsuccessful, further complicating the case.

The ongoing collaboration between U.S. authorities and Indian officials is essential for Hameed’s extradition to face justice. Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw emphasized the commitment to pursuing justice, stating that the time elapsed does not diminish the resolve to hold the perpetrator accountable. She appealed for cooperation from both nations, reinforcing the notion that individuals cannot evade justice simply by crossing borders.

The Narra family emigrated to America from the Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, India. The community continues to mourn the loss of Sasikala and Anish, with many expressing gratitude for the renewed efforts to seek justice in this tragic case. Through a representative, Sasikala’s family expressed relief and appreciation for the tenacity of law enforcement, affirming their faith in the justice system despite the lengthy process involved.