A 39-year-old mother of two has allegedly been stabbed to death inside her Melbourne home, with her husband now under police guard in hospital as homicide detectives investigate the fatal incident.
Lavanya Achanta was found dead at the family’s home in Vermont, in Melbourne’s east, on Tuesday night. Her husband, 39-year-old Srinivas Achanta, was also found injured and remains in hospital, where detectives are expected to interview him.
Sequence of Events
Emergency services were called to a home in Delatite Court, Vermont, shortly before 10 p.m. on Tuesday following reports of a serious incident.
When police and paramedics arrived, they discovered Lavanya Achanta, 39, suffering fatal stab wounds inside the property. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her husband, Srinivas Achanta, 39, was also found injured at the home. He received medical treatment before being transported to hospital, where he remains under police guard.
Homicide detectives are waiting until he is medically fit to be interviewed in relation to the investigation.
On Wednesday morning, specialist investigators established a major crime scene, cordoning off the quiet residential street for several hours while forensic officers examined the home and collected evidence.
Neighbours described the family as quiet and friendly, saying the couple had moved into the neighbourhood with their two children about two years ago.
One neighbour said she was shocked by the incident.
“Very sad, very sad set of circumstances. Hard to believe it’s happened not too far from our house,” she said.
Another resident recalled hearing emergency vehicles arrive late Tuesday night before seeing numerous police cars and an ambulance outside the home.
Investigators have not disclosed what led to the alleged stabbing, and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remain ongoing.
The couple’s two children are now being supported following the tragedy.
According to figures cited by Australian media, Lavanya Achanta is the 36th woman to allegedly die as a result of violence in Australia this year.
Police have not announced any charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.
