2 min readUpdated: Aug 13, 2026 11:40 AM IST

An Indian-origin teen has been charged with the murder of his mother and 14-year-old brother after they were found dead at their suburban home in the northeastern United States, ABC News reported. Authorities in Massachusetts stated that the teenager appeared to have used ChatGPT to plot the killing of his family.

The 17-year-old was apprehended in Wayland on Wednesday morning (Aug 12) after allegedly fleeing the town of Acton in his mother’s car a day earlier, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

He has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of assault and battery on a household or family member, two counts of assault and battery, use of a vehicle without authority and theft of a motor vehicle in connection with the two deaths.

On Tuesday evening, the teen’s father called the police and requested a well-being check after he was unable to reach his family members and reported that a tutor, who was expected at the home, was unable to make contact with residents upon arrival.

The last time he spoke to his wife was before he left for work, and his younger son was seen around noon, the Acton Police said.

Upon their arrival at the home, police located the victims dead inside.

Mother found in basement, brother on first floor

The responding officers said that the mother was found dead in the basement, while the younger brother was discovered on the first floor.

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Police determined that the accused was not at home and had allegedly fled using his mother’s vehicle.

He was later called in a parking lot on Andrew Avenue.

Ryan said that the victims suffered from “obvious trauma,” adding that their manner of death has not yet been confirmed.

The teen demonstrated “some concerning behaviour, including using the internet and ChatGPT” to make searches “regarding the killing of his family,” the district attorney said.

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