Father, son found dead in Salt Lake City office building died in apparent murder-suicide

Two people found dead in an office complex on Saturday died in an apparent murder-suicide, the Salt Lake City Police Department announced in a Monday news release.

The bodies of 49-year-old Parth Gandhi and his 16-year-old son were found inside an office building located near 3000 S. Highland Drive, according to the release.

Gandhi is suspected of killing his son before killing himself, police said. Police have not released the name of his 16-year-old son.

The investigation started when someone called 911 on Saturday and reported finding a body. When crews from the Salt Lake City Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance arrived at the scene, they found both bodies, the release said.

Officers conducted a welfare check at Gandhi’s home near Sunnyside Park as part of the investigation, police said. Further details weren’t released Monday.

Gandhi worked as a neuropsychologist and clinic director with Salt City Psychedelic Therapy and Research, which is located at 2936 S. Highland Drive, according to the clinic’s website.

A call to the clinic Monday went straight to voicemail, and a message left by The Salt Lake Tribune was not immediately returned.

He was a licensed psychologist in Utah, according to records with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, though records list his full name as “Partha Vimal Gandhi.”

The records state he graduated as a doctor of philosophy from Brigham Young University in 2001; the Salt City Psychedelic Therapy and Research clinic website also states Gandhi completed his doctoral studies in clinical psychology at BYU. It notes he specialized in neuropsychology.

School resource officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department have been working with the Salt Lake City School District to help ensure students and staff receive mental health resources, the release stated.

“Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for all community members, and to ensure people who are living with mental health challenges receive the care and support they need,” police said in a statement.

The Salt Lake City School District declined comment Monday.

Editor’s note • If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24-hour support.