Parramatta River murder-suicide leaves Indian-origin mother mourning husband and daughter

An Indian-origin mother has been left devastated after her husband and six-year-old daughter died in a suspected murder-suicide on Sydney’s Parramatta River, sparking an outpouring of support from the local community.

Police allege that 47-year-old Maulik Dhandhukia hired a boat near Concord in Sydney’s inner west on Saturday and took his young daughter onto the water before both entered the river.

Emergency services launched a major search operation after receiving reports of a person in the water. Dhandhukia’s body was found floating in the Parramatta River shortly before midday, while his daughter’s body was recovered around 5.30pm following a seven-hour search.

According to media reports, CCTV footage from a nearby property allegedly captured Dhandhukia throwing his daughter into the water before entering the river himself. Authorities believe neither of them could swim. A suicide note was reportedly discovered on the rented boat.

The tragedy has left Dhandhukia’s wife, Pritiben Dhandhukia, mourning the loss of both her husband and daughter.

A fundraising campaign launched by family friend Jignesh Parmar described the immense grief facing the family.

“Her beloved husband and her cherished daughter — her entire family, her whole reason for getting up each morning — were taken from her,” the fundraiser stated.

Funds raised will help cover funeral and memorial expenses, religious and cultural ceremonies, travel costs for family members, and immediate living expenses.

The motive behind the incident remains unknown.

Just weeks before the tragedy, Dhandhukia had spoken publicly about living with chronic neck pain caused by a gym injury sustained in 2005. In a social media post, he said the injury had significantly impacted his life over the years.

Dhandhukia worked as an application support analyst with the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and had previously held technology-sector roles in both Australia and India.

NSW Police said Dhandhukia was not known to police and that there were no apprehended violence orders in place.

Superintendent Christine McDonald described the incident as “an absolute tragedy for the family and the community on every level.”

Investigators are continuing inquiries and are examining whether family violence may have played a role in the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers.