“I wish I knew.”
“I would have done something.”
That is what a neighbor of Priyatharsini Natarajan shared during a vigil held at Hillsborough Reformed Church on Jan. 17.
It was just five days since Natarajan was charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of her 5- and 7-year-old sons in her Shell Court home. The boys were students at Sunnymead Elementary School.
Natarajan, 35, appeared to have strangled her sons, according to reports. She pleaded not guilty in a court appearance at the Somerset County Courthouse on Jan. 20.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, police were dispatched to the home. The woman’s husband had called 911 advising police dispatch that upon arriving home from work he subsequently found his two children unconscious and that his wife did something to them.
Faith leaders along with township and school officials came together to honor the two young boys and grieve together as a community.
Rev. Jeff Knol, who leads the congregation at the Hillsborough Reformed Church, welcomed everyone who filled the pews in the sanctuary.
“We’re honored to host here,” he said, noting the church has been around since the 1700s. “We gather together in our shared pain, loss and anguish.”
Knol said when he heard the news on the afternoon of Jan. 13, a wave of “sorrow, pain and despair” rolled over his heart.
“We gather to acknowledge how terrible this situation is,” he said. “To acknowledge this pain and loss.”
It was important to support one another together. That was part of the reason for the vigil, Knol said.
The vigil included moments of silence, words from faith leaders and the community, plus music.
“At times when words fail us, poetry, music and the arts can help us to feel,” Knol said. “To find meaning in these difficult times.”
For those not ready to speak, there was pen and paper for them to write down their feelings.
Mayor Catherine Payne extended her deepest condolences on behalf of the township to the father and everyone who has been impacted by the tragic events.
She asked everyone to be respectful online for all the people affected.
“We have to be mindful … we have no idea what was going on in her mind at this moment,” Payne said. “It’s very devastating.”
The mayor recognized law enforcement and also asked everyone to respect the privacy of the family, and everyone impacted.
“This is a time for community and compassion,” she said. “Hillsborough is strong and caring and we will come together to support one another.
“If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the mental health resources available in our area and in this room today. No one should be facing this burden alone.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with those impacted by this horrific event.”
Superintendent Michael Volpe said not only does he lead the Hillsborough Township Public Schools, but he is also a member of the community.
“… For many of us, we did not know these two boys,” he said, “but we know their seats are empty. We know their laughter is missing in the hallways. We see them in the faces of our own children.
“…We gather not as strangers, but as a community to carry the light that they can no longer carry themselves.”
To honor the two boys, Volpe said community members must become the helpers they deserved.
“Let’s commit to being a community where our students are seen and held,” he said. “Let’s honor the memory of the two we lost by being more present to the thousands that are still with us.”
Another neighbor, whose daughter graduated from Sunnymead Elementary School two years prior, shared he did not know the two boys, but hoped they knew the many souls they have touched.
“It’s still hard to imagine something like this could happen a mile from our home,” said the neighbor, who said she wished she knew something was amiss. “I hope that as we go through the days, weeks, months, we go with a little more kindness, a little more understanding, a little more tolerance … because you never know what’s happening inside, you don’t know what’s going on.
“I just know that the time this happened, it was snack and homework and running to activities … it just horrifies me.”
Dr. Tammy Jenkins, principal at Sunnymead, attended the vigil with members of her staff.
“We just want to say thank you for the outpouring of support and love and encouragement that we have received over the last few days,” she said.
To process things, Jenkins shared a piece of poetry she had written.
“Two gentle lights, two precious lives.
“… Your names, your joy, your shining grace. Forever part of Sunny Mead Sacred Place.”
Jenkins then turned to her staff.
“You touched the lives of those children,” she said. “Even in this dark and difficult time, together, we will be OK, one step at a time.”
The vigil ended with a closing prayer and music.
Following the incident, school officials posted information on Somerset County’s Crisis Intervention Guide on its social media page.
The investigation remains on-going and no further information will be available for release at this time.
Anyone with information relating to this homicide investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at (908) 369-4323 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Tips Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and tips will be kept confidential.