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A Texas community is mourning the loss of a beloved pediatrician who was killed by another doctor in an apparent murder-suicide at her clinic on Tuesday night.
Lindley Dodson, MD, was only 43 years old and mother to three children ages 5, 7, and 11 when she was murdered by Bharat Narumanchi, MD, at Children s Medical Group in Austin.
Narumanchi, also 43 years old and also a pediatrician, reportedly said he had terminal cancer, though his motivation for the killing remains a mystery. It was not apparent that he knew Dodson prior to asking for a job at the clinic a few days before Tuesday s tragedy.
They were born two months apart in the late 1970s, went on to pursue the same area of medicine and eventually wound up in the same city at the same time.
But before a seemingly random encounter last week, the two pediatricians found dead after a hostage standoff Tuesday in Central Austin did not appear to know each other, nor did the trajectory of their lives appear to be headed in the same direction.
Looking for work after recently arriving in Austin from California, Dr. Bharat Narumanchi walked into the offices of the Children s Medical Group last Friday and inquired about an unpaid administrative job, according to witnesses and police statements. He spoke to staff members about a recent diagnosis for Stage 4 metastatic cancer and his desire to volunteer in the final three to four months doctors had given him, according to a staff member.
AUSTIN, Texas — They were born two months apart in the late 1970s, went on to pursue the same area of medicine and eventually wound up in the same city
Dr Katherine Lindley Dodson was shot and killed on Tuesday in Austin, Texas
Another doctor, Bharat Narumanchi, took five people hostage inside the clinic
He was terminally ill and had been turned down by the clinic for a voluntary job
He had not met Dodson before Tuesday s siege, according to local media
Narumanchi had most recently practiced medicine in California
He is believed to have had family in the Austin area, according to reports
On Wednesday night a vigil was held for Dodson and her patients paid tribute
Two Doctors Die In Murder-Suicide In Central Austin
AUSTIN, TX – An hours-long standoff resulted in a murder-suicide involving two doctors in central Austin.
According to the Abilene Police Department, around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dr. Bharat Narumanchi entered the Dell Children s Medical Group building.
The 43-year-old doctor appeared to have a pistol, shotgun, and two duffel bags. He then proceeded to take hostages. The hostages included 43-year-old Dr. Katherine Lindley Dodson, a pediatrician.
The hostages who were able to escape told police Dr. Narumanchi was also a pediatrician and had applied to work as a volunteer at the clinic last week.