A respected doctor in Utah has allegedly killed his son and himself amid a brutal custody battle with his wife. Parth Gandhi, 49, and his 16-year-old son, Om Moses Gandhi, died in the physician's Psychedelic Therapy and Research office. After getting a frantic call to 911, police discovered the bodies of the father and son. No other victims were reported.
Parth Gandhi was reportedly the first psychedelic researcher and therapist in Utah. The deaths shocked family and friends as he reportedly seemed to be an active and well-liked community member. Now, the community wonders what prompted his actions.
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Gandhi reportedly took his son to his office to commit the awful act.
The scene unfolded just after 11 a.m. May 13, when a community member discovered the bodies inside Gandhi's office at 2936 S. Highland Drive, a release by the Salt Lake City Police stated. When authorities arrived, they secured the scene to ensure it was safe and to check for other victims. Additionally, officers performed a welfare check at Gandhi's home near Sunnyside Park, police reported.
"Our detectives right now, they're still developing more information trying to figure out, trying to answer the question of what may have motivated him to do this," Brent Weisberg, Salt Lake City Police Department representative, told KSL-TV. Details have not yet been released on how the two were killed.
Gandhi was a neuropsychologist and neuroscientist.
His website gives insight into the type of medicine he practiced. The site states, "As a co-founder of SCPTR, the first psychedelic research and therapy company in Utah, his vision has been to 'Heal the Ill and Better the Well' with Psychedelics through the advancement of education and harm reduction. He is a firm advocate for psychedelics and mind expansion through safe personal [journies] guided by trained facilitators."
It goes on to note that Gandhi has been a "highly sought-after consulting clinician since 2003." He reportedly offered counseling services for individuals and families in crisis all over the United States.
The doctor was active in the community.
Fox 13 interviewed Gandhi's friend, Denise Druce, who claimed to have known him for 12 years. She said he often took her yoga and cycle classes at 24-Hour Fitness. But that changed about a year ago; she had not seen him since. She remembered him as a social "people person."
"He ran events at his house, yoga events and meditation events. I was at his house a couple of times and was able to meet his kids," Druce told the news outlet.
Druce refrained from criticizing her one-time friend. "Until we have more details, I'm going to reserve judgment and just hold a lot of compassion in my heart for the people who are left in the aftermath of this overall," she said via Fox 13.
Rachel Cieslewicz, a yoga studio owner, was equally shocked by Gandhi's death. He was a yoga teacher in her studio from 2018 to 2020, but he backed away from teaching as the pandemic started.
"Just reeling over it — I'm in utter shock. It's not something I ever see coming from him at all," Cieslewicz said, according to Fox 13.
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Gandhi's estranged wife tried to get help.
A GoFundMe account was started to help Leah Moses, Gandhi's estranged wife and Om's mother, raise money to help domestic abuse survivors in his honor. The page gives details into her personal struggle with Gandhi. A post on the site alleges Moses tried to get help from law enforcement for 15 years to no avail.
"The Utah system that is meant to protect women and children completely failed. So, as a longtime advocate for domestic abuse survivors and as a survivor herself, Leah wants to make sure her son's death was not in vain but that this tragic moment results in systemic change," the post on the page reads. "She asks that everyone that reads this letter contacts their legislators requesting they support the Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act a.k.a. "Kayden's Law," a system-changing piece of legislation Leah has been working on this past year that ironically if passed, could have protected her son. She hopes that by passing this law, other children will be saved."
Friends sympathized with Moses.
Tina Swithin wrote in a Facebook post that she had visited Moses on a recent trip to Salt Lake City.
"I just ate lunch with the mother (Leah) of this 16-year-old boy when I was in Salt Lake City at the protest for Ty and Brynlee Larson. Because the family court system prioritizes a depraved monster's rights over the safety of child, there's another dead child. My heart is with Leah and everyone who loved this young man. This was preventable. There are people with blood on their hands," she wrote.
Someone who once dated Parth GaGandhi also created a post on Facebook.
"I don't know how much of the sinister side of him existed when I knew and dated Parth. We were still kids. I have been searching my memory for missed red flags and have not found any. But I also know I have had to learn to recognize manipulation and liars who disguise their selfishness with charisma, and my relationship with Parth pre-dated all of those lessons," Ghand's ex-girlfriend, Noell Buckland Hyman, wrote on Facebook.
"I mourn the friend who I thought was humble and loving and at the same time I believe all of those he victimized and am sorry for your pain," she added. "I am especially sorry for Om's mother and family, and for Om himself."
Well-wishes poured in on the GoFundMe page.
"I am so crushed to hear the tragic news of the loss of Om, and I will be thinking of you and A, and the rest of your family. Leah, your life has touched so many, as I'm sure Om's did, and I can't help but consider how you will continue to fight for the rights of other mothers and children in this country, just as you have for other mothers and children worldwide," one donor wrote. "You lifted me up in my adolescence when I felt so alone. I hope that you can lean into the very support systems you have established to help you through this devastating loss. ❤️❤️ I am going to do what I can from this side of the country, just as I'm sure there will be countless others across the country and the world who are going to do the same. ❤️."
"My heart is with you Leah. This should never have happened. I know how hard you tried to protect Om. I witnessed the legal system failing you and your kids- over and over. I'm sending you fierce love, in heartbreak and solidarity," a friend commented.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
