Kerala doctor found shot dead in car in Michigan, motive unclear

Michigan cops found Ramesh shot dead in his car, which was parked at a rest area on the highway The Mavelikara native was working with the Urology department of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit The police have not confirmed the motive behind the murder though they suspect a racial attack

Dr Ramesh Kumar, 32, who hails from Mavelikara, was found dead in the back seat of his car. He was the younger son of Dr Narendra R Kumar, former president of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), and was working with the Urology department of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

When Ramesh did not reach the hospital on Thursday, a colleague called up his father. Narendra Kumar then tried calling Ramesh and sent several text messages to him but there was no response. He also went to Ramesh's flat and found it locked from the outside. 

Narendra Kumar then lodged a complaint with the police. During the search that ensued on Friday, Michigan cops found Ramesh shot dead in the passenger seat of his car, which was parked at a rest area on the highway. The police have not confirmed the motive behind the murder though a spokesperson said they suspect a racial attack. However, his parents and relatives maintain they do not think it is just another 'attack on Indians' case and there could be more to it.

Ramesh, who completed his MBBS degree from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, leaves behind his father, mother Meenakshi and sister Saradha. His post-mortem has been completed and the funeral will be held on Tuesday.

Narendra Kumar and family, who are from Thattekkattu family in Mavelikara's Chettikulangara, currently reside in East Grove Court, Freeland, Michigan.