An Indian-origin lab technician whowas found dead with her two daughters in north-west London last year had poisoned all three with acid, according to an inquest into her death.
Heena Solanki was found dead alongside Jasmine, 9, and Prisha, 4, at their home in April last year. 34-year-old Heena had taken the substance from a locked cupboard at the school where she worked as a lab technician.
West London Coroners' Court heard this week that Heena was struggling to get on with her mother- and father-in-law. Police and paramedics who went to the scene were forced back by the fumes from the substance, the court heard. Coroner Chinyere Inyama said paperwork had also been found in the boot of Solanki's car about chemicals.
He concluded that Heena took her own life while Jasmine and Prisha were both killed. None of Heena's family attended the hearing but a statement was read out from her widower, Kalpesh Solanki, in which he spoke of his surprise at his wife's actions. "Prior to her death I believed that Heena was happy and content," he said. "We lived a nice life with our two children, Jasmine and Prisha. The only thing that I was aware of that made her unhappy was that we lived with my parents.
This issue got her down at times but it's the only issue I can think of," he added. Scotland Yard investigating officer Sarah McConnell had told an earlier hearing that a note from Heena addressed to her husband had been found at the scene. The officer also told the hearing that it was 42-year-old Kalpesh who had discovered the bodies when he returned to their family home in Ruislip from work in the evening on April 12, 2013. He had last seen his wife and daughters alive that morning.
{{/usCountry}}This issue got her down at times but it's the only issue I can think of," he added. Scotland Yard investigating officer Sarah McConnell had told an earlier hearing that a note from Heena addressed to her husband had been found at the scene. The officer also told the hearing that it was 42-year-old Kalpesh who had discovered the bodies when he returned to their family home in Ruislip from work in the evening on April 12, 2013. He had last seen his wife and daughters alive that morning.
{{/usCountry}}Heena, originally from Surat, was set to start a new job soon and according to neighbours showed no signs of experiencing any problems. However, some indicated "rumours" that she may have been suffering from depression.