Devan Kalathat was a 42-year-old Indian-American engineer who worked at Yahoo in Silicon Valley. But his name became infamous on March 29, 2009, when he committed a horrific act of violence against his own family. On that fateful evening, Kalathat shot and killed six family members, including his two young children, before taking his own life. This shocking murder-suicide stunned the local community and made national headlines. It left many wondering what could drive a seemingly normal family man to such an unthinkable act. Let’s take a closer look at who Devan Kalathat was and the tragic events that unfolded that night in Santa Clara, California.
Who is Devan Kalathat?
Devan Kalathat was an information technology engineer who worked at Yahoo in Silicon Valley. He lived with his wife and two children in an upscale neighbourhood in Santa Clara, California. By all outward appearances, Kalathat seemed to be living the American dream as a successful tech professional. He had immigrated to the United States from India in the early 1990s, part of the wave of Indian engineers who came to work in the booming tech industry. Kalathat was described by those who knew him as a quiet, gentle family man. No one could have predicted the violence he would unleash on his loved ones.
Devan Kalathat Wikipedia
| Full Name | Devan Kalathat (born Raghavan Devarajan) |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1967 |
| Died | March 29, 2009 (aged 42) |
| Nationality | Indian-American |
| Occupation | Information Technology Engineer at Yahoo |
| Spouse | Abha Appu |
| Children | 2 |
Early Life
Not much is known about Devan Kalathat’s early life in India. He was born around 1967 with the name Raghavan Devarajan. In the early 1990s, Kalathat immigrated to the United States as part of the influx of Indian tech workers coming to Silicon Valley. He settled in the Bay Area and began working for tech companies in the region.
In 2002, Kalathat legally changed his name from Raghavan Devarajan to Devan Kalathat. He also changed his son’s surname from Devarajan to Dev at that time. The reasons behind the name change are unclear. Kalathat seemed to be building a new identity and life for himself in America.
Career
Devan Kalathat had a successful career as an information technology engineer in Silicon Valley. He worked for several Bay Area tech companies over the years, including Sun Microsystems. At the time of his death in 2009, Kalathat was employed as a web analytics engineer at Yahoo. By all accounts, he was securely employed and there were no indications of any work-related issues or stress.
Kalathat’s career trajectory was typical of many Indian immigrants who came to work in Silicon Valley’s tech industry. He was able to build a comfortable middle-class lifestyle for his family through his work as an engineer. Kalathat and his family had recently moved to an upscale townhome development called Rivermark in Santa Clara, suggesting his career was on an upward path.
Lifetime Awards & Achievements
- No known awards or special achievements
What is Devan Kalathat’s Net Worth?
Devan Kalathat’s exact net worth at the time of his death is unknown. However, as an experienced engineer at a major tech company like Yahoo, he likely earned a six-figure salary. Kalathat and his family lived in an upscale neighbourhood and seemed financially stable. Police stated that financial problems did not appear to be a factor in the murders. After his death, it was revealed that Kalathat had recently sent $100,000 each to his two brothers and three sisters in India, suggesting he had significant savings.
Personal Life
Devan Kalathat was married to Abha Appu and they had two children together. The family had recently moved to a new townhome in the Rivermark development of Santa Clara from nearby Sunnyvale. By outward appearances, they seemed to be a normal, happy family. Neighbours and acquaintances described Kalathat as a quiet, gentle family man. However, there were some indications of marital discord beneath the surface.
1. Devan Kalathat’s Age
Devan Kalathat was 42 years old at the time of his death in March 2009. He was born around 1967 in India before immigrating to the United States as a young man in his 20s. Kalathat spent approximately 15-20 years living and working in the Bay Area before the tragic events of 2009.
2. Devan Kalathat’s Siblings
Not much is known about Devan Kalathat’s siblings. However, after his death, it was revealed that he had recently sent $100,000 each to two brothers and three sisters living in India. This suggests Kalathat came from a large family with at least five siblings. The names and other details about his brothers and sisters have not been made public.
3. Devan Kalathat’s Family
Devan Kalathat’s immediate family consisted of his wife Abha Appu and their two children – 11-year-old son Akhil Dev and 4-year-old daughter Negha Dev. At the time of the murders, Kalathat’s brother-in-law Ashok Appu Poothemkandi, his wife Suchitra Sivaraman, and their 11-month-old daughter Ahana were visiting from India. Tragically, all of these family members except Abha were killed by Kalathat in the shooting.
4. Devan Kalathat’s Relationships
Devan Kalathat was married to Abha Appu. They had been living in the Bay Area for many years and had two children together. On the surface, they seemed to have a normal marriage. However, there were some signs of marital problems. In July 2008, Abha had called the police from a park in Sunnyvale, crying and saying Kalathat had taken her passport and documents. Police helped resolve the dispute at the time. Beyond this incident, not much is known about their relationship dynamics.
Dating history:
- Married to Abha Appu (date unknown – March 29, 2009)
5. Devan Kalathat’s House
At the time of the murders, Devan Kalathat and his family had just moved into a new townhome at 4350 Headen Way in Santa Clara, California. It was part of an upscale development called Rivermark. The family had previously lived in nearby Sunnyvale. The move to this new home was recent, as neighbours said they didn’t know the family well yet. It was in this house that the tragic shootings took place on March 29, 2009.
Where is Devan Kalathat Now?
Devan Kalathat died by suicide on March 29, 2009, after shooting six family members in his Santa Clara home. Five of the victims, including Kalathat’s two children, died from their injuries. Only his wife Abha survived, though she was critically injured. Kalathat’s body was found in the home’s kitchen and dining room area along with the other victims. He used two .45-caliber semi-automatic pistols to carry out the shootings before turning a gun on himself.
Conclusion
The case of Devan Kalathat is a deeply tragic one that shocked Silicon Valley and the Indian-American community. On the surface, Kalathat seemed to be living the American dream as a successful tech engineer with a family. But something went very wrong, leading to an unthinkable act of violence against his loved ones. While financial problems were ruled out as a motive, police pointed to “family dynamics and personal relationships” as likely factors. The true reasons may never be fully known.
This case highlights how domestic violence and mental health issues can sometimes be hidden behind a facade of normalcy. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of recognizing warning signs and getting help. The deaths of so many innocent family members, including young children, made this crime particularly heartbreaking. While Devan Kalathat’s life ended in horrific violence, the survivors and community were left to grapple with the aftermath and search for healing.
