Grandmother was killed by "incised wounds," coronor says - Philadelphia Inquirer

Satayvathi Venna, the 61-year-old grandmother found dead in a King of Prussia apartment Tuesday, was killed by "incised wounds to the neck and chest," Montgomery County coroner Walter Hofman said late Thursday.

Meanwhile, Venna's 10-month-old granddaughter, Saanvi, was still missing.

On Thursday, the reward for Saanvi's return rose from $30,000 to $50,000, and the investigation into the murder and abduction continued.

The crimes have generated international attention, but few public revelations about what happened in the apartment.

"Our focus remains the recovery of Saanvi," Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said. "As of right now, the only public update will be an increase in the reward."

Her office, the Citizens' Crime Commission of Delaware Valley, the Upper Merion Township Police Department, and the Telugu Association of North America, an Indian group, announced they were increasing the reward for information that could lead to the baby's safe return.

Candlelight vigil

On Wednesday night, the Telugu Association held a candlelight vigil at Heuser Park in King of Prussia to raise more money and awareness about the abduction. The event drew more than 200 and was broadcast to audiences worldwide.

Vigils were also planned in Troy, Mich.; Dallas; Atlanta; and Bridgewater, N.J., all cities with large Indian communities.

Earlier Wednesday, police, FBI agents, and others combed the wooded area behind the Marquis Apartment complex. It was unclear where they were focusing their search on Thursday.

"This is the fourth day we've been unable to find Saanvi," said Ram Venna, her uncle. "Please help us and provide us with any information you can."

Venna said he and his wife would accompany his mother's body back to India, where she will have a traditional Hindu funeral. She had arrived from India for a visit in July and was scheduled to return home in January.

'A hard time'

He said the baby's father, Venkata Konda Siva Venna, would remain in the area. "We want him to stay here," Ram said, "but both parents are having a hard time."

Police believe the child was taken between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Called to the sixth-floor apartment shortly after 1 p.m., police found the body of Satayvathi Venna.

Hofman, the coroner, confirmed that the death was a homicide but would not elaborate on whether the "incised wounds" were slashings or stabbings, or what type of weapon was used.

Ferman said investigators were being guarded with information because "we do not want to do anything that would jeopardize the child's safety."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Anonymous Tip Line at 215-546-8477 (TIPS), Upper Merion police at 610-265-3232, or Montgomery County detectives at 610-278-3368.

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Contact Mari A. Schaeffer

at 610-892-9149, mschaefer@phillynews.com or @MariSchaefer on Twitter.