‘Smoothie Tasted Like Cough Syrup’: Chilling Details Emerge in Telangana Techie’s Wife’s Murder

What initially appeared to be a medical emergency has turned into a murder investigation in the United States.

With investigators accusing Telangana software engineer Avinash Narne of strangling his wife, 27-year-old Raajitha Sabbineni, at their apartment in Bellevue, Washington, in October 2025.

Authorities say the case took a dramatic turn after forensic findings and digital evidence contradicted Avinash’s account of the incident, ultimately leading to his arrest.

From emergency call to homicide probe

According to investigators, Avinash called 911 on October 27, 2025, claiming he had returned home after running errands and found his wife locked inside the bathroom and unresponsive. Emergency responders forced open the door and attempted CPR, but Raajitha was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation shifted course after the medical examiner concluded that Raajitha had died from asphyxia caused by strangulation, prompting police to treat the case as a homicide.

Digital trail raises suspicion

As detectives examined Avinash’s phone records and online activity, they allegedly uncovered evidence suggesting he had remained in contact with another woman in India even after his marriage.

Investigators claim phone records showed multiple conversations between the two on the day of Raajitha’s death, including around the time Avinash said he was attempting to enter the locked bathroom.

Police also allege that Avinash later sent the woman a photograph of Raajitha after her death. Deleted messages recovered during the investigation are also being examined as part of the prosecution’s case.

Authorities said the woman had attended the couple’s wedding on June 5, 2025. Shortly after the ceremony, Raajitha moved from Texas to the Seattle area to begin her married life with Avinash.

Victim’s messages become key evidence

Investigators also focused on conversations Raajitha had with a close friend in the days leading up to her death.

According to court documents, she had expressed concern about a smoothie prepared by her husband, saying it had an unusual taste. On the day she died, she reportedly texted Avinash that the drink tasted “like cough syrup.”

Investigators are treating those messages as one element of the broader evidence while reconstructing the sequence of events. Authorities have not publicly alleged that the smoothie itself caused her death.

Investigation continues

Investigators believe the alleged motive may be linked to Avinash’s reported relationship with the woman in India, although officials have not announced a definitive motive.

Prosecutors say the case is supported by a combination of forensic findings, phone records, text messages, recovered digital evidence and other material collected during the investigation. The allegations remain before the court, and Avinash Narne is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.