Indian-origin woman killed self, daughters with acid, inquest hears

An Indian-origin mother poisoned herself and her two young daughters with acid last year after apparently facing problems trying to live with her husband's parents, an inquest heard Saturday.

Heena Solanki, 34, was found dead in her bed alongside Jasmine, nine, and Prisha, four, by her husband Kalpesh Solanki at their home in Ruislip, west London, the Mirror reported.

An inquest said that police and paramedics who went to the scene were forced back by poisonous fumes.

None of her family attended the hearing but a statement by Kalpesh Solanki was read out 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 that they had decided to move out but had not yet told his parents.

Kalpesh said that Heena had not shown signs of depression and had never talked of taking her own life.

The inquest heard from Heena's friend, Branali Chambhare, who said she had confided in her that "her father-in-law was a bit cranky and a bit problematic".

She added that Heena had cried over her apparent problems on one occasion but did not think she was depressed.

She said that Heena never spoke of being depressed or harming herself but used to say she wanted to go and live in India with her children.

Detective Sergeant Simon Rogers of the Metropolitan Police's homicide assessment team said officers were called on the evening of April 12 last year with initial reports that a third party might have been involved.

Only firefighters wearing specialist breathing equipment were allowed on the scene where a suicide note was also found, the contents of which were not detailed in court.

Post-mortem examinations found all three died of substance intoxication.