Maple Shade, NJ – A 38-year-old Indian national has been charged in the 2017 homicides of a mother and her young son in Maple Shade. Nazeer Hameed faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon.
The victims, Sasikala Narra, 38, and Anish Narra, 6, were found deceased in their Hamilton Road apartment on March 23, 2017. An autopsy revealed each died from multiple slash wounds to their necks, with evidence indicating Anish Narra was nearly decapitated by the attacker.
Hameed resided in the same apartment complex as the victims and was an acquaintance of the family through their workplace. After the incident, he returned to India, where he remains while the investigation proceeded.
Law enforcement identified Hameed as a person of interest due to his stalking behavior toward Hanumanth Narra, husband and father of the victims. Delays in filing charges were attributed to the pursuit of additional evidence and coordination with federal partners for potential extradition.
Physical evidence ultimately linked Hameed to the crimes. A blood droplet found at the scene was consistent with Hameed’s DNA. Efforts to secure a DNA sample from him in India faced repeated obstacles, including his refusal to cooperate.
A mutual legal assistance request to collect Hameed’s DNA was acknowledged by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, yet was not fulfilled. The case gained renewed attention as the investigation continued despite misinformation that suggested stagnation.
Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw expressed a commitment to justice for the victims. Chief Christopher J. Fletcher emphasized the emotional toll on investigators, keeping the memories of Sasikala and Anish as guiding reminders throughout the investigation.
Detectives employed various methods, including a subpoena that led to the collection of Hameed’s DNA from a company-issued laptop. A forensic examination of the laptop confirmed its connection to the blood evidence.
The motive for the killings remains unestablished, with prosecutors not required to provide one for conviction in New Jersey. The next steps involve efforts to extradite Hameed back to the United States.
Fletcher underscored the community’s outrage over the case and the duty of law enforcement to seek justice. The extradition authority rests with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of State.
Bradshaw urged cooperation between the U.S. and Indian governments to ensure Hameed’s extradition. The Indian Cultural Center of Southern New Jersey offered support during the investigation, with board member Jayesh Parikh acknowledging law enforcement’s efforts over the past years.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Maple Shade Police Department, FBI, and New Jersey State Police. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Robert Van Gilst upon Hameed’s extradition.
