KARACHI: A middle-aged man who murdered his wife and three children before trying to take his own life in the Shamsi Society area of Karachi a day earlier told police on Thursday that he was driven to the extreme act due to depression triggered by financial problems.

The man, identified as Fawad, was found injured in the upper-story of his residence in Karachi’s Shah Faisal area. The bodies of his 40-year-old wife and three daughters - aged 16, 12 and 10 - with their throats also slit were found in the house.

Fawad was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where he underwent treatment following the suicide attempt. His trachea was serrated and vocal cords damaged, with doctors saying that it might take up to a month or more for him to recover.

Fawad did provide a confessional statement by typing it out on the phone from his hospital bed.

Police said that Fawad, who worked as a manager at a national-level company, cited financial issues after an investment went awry. It resulted in marital disputes as well with his wife telling him to move out of the house - shared with his brother’s family - to cut down on expenses.

Fawad lived with his family on the upper-storey of the rented house, with his mother and brother’s wife on the ground floor. His younger brother is in Saudi Arabia.

Police investigation revealed that Fawad called his younger brother before the attempted murder-suicide to inform him of his plans. By the time the brother called his family in Karachi, Fawad had already murdered his wife and children, his mother told investigators.

She said that she heard loud voices from the upper floor, adding that it was not unusual. But when she called to check, there was no answer. When they went upstairs, they found the door locked. There was no noise from inside anymore either. Upon forcing the door open, they found the bodies.

Police found food items - including biryani and savoury snacks - at the scene of the crime. They believe that Fawad drugged his family before murdering them.

Investment

Fawad’s bout of depression stemmed from concerns over monetary issues, with those who invested money with him demanding it back. Investigators say Fawad provided several names of individuals who had invested money with him.

In his typed responses, Fawad said that they were threatening him and came to his doorstep demanding their money. Sources within the police say that Fawad wasn’t forthcoming about the amount the nature of the investment or the amount involved. There have been suggestions that he was involved in buying and selling food stocks based on his experience of the industry due to his work,

They believe the amount to be in eight figures considering Fawad owns a vehicle worth around Rs5 milllion. “He had recently downgraded to the vehicle after selling another vehicle - a compact crossover SUV - worth between Rs6.5 to Rs7.5 million.

Police said Fawad was also unresponsive on questions about why he murdered his wife and three children.