A 39-year-old Melbourne man has been formally charged with the murder of his 39-year-old wife, following her fatal stabbing at their family home in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Vermont. Srinivas Achanta made a short, silent appearance before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, three days after first responders were called to the couple’s Delatite Court residence just after 10 p.m. on July 7.
Law enforcement officials confirm that when emergency crews arrived at the property, they found Lavanya Achanta dead at the scene. Two young children who were present in the home at the time of the incident were discovered unharmed, and have since been supported by local social services. Achanta was taken into custody at the scene immediately after the incident, but was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation under armed police guard. It was not until more than 24 hours after his hospital admission, and three days after the killing, that detectives completed a formal interview with the accused and laid the murder charge.
During Friday’s court hearing, Achanta sat flanked by court security and was not required to enter a plea or make any public statement. Prosecutors requested a 12-week adjournment to allow investigators to compile evidence, finalize case files, and serve the full case briefing on Achanta’s defense team. Magistrates granted the adjournment, remanding Achanta into official custody until his next scheduled court appearance on November 13.
Achanta’s defense lawyer, Alex Wolf, submitted written arguments on confidential custody management issues that were not discussed in open court to protect the privacy of all involved parties. Neighbors of the quiet cul-de-sac property told reporters the couple had moved to the leafy, residential suburb with their two children roughly two years ago, and were known to keep a low profile, rarely interacting with other residents on the street.
In the days following the discovery of Lavanya Achanta’s body, forensic investigation teams could be seen processing the crime scene, collecting evidence and examining the property for clues related to the killing. The case has shocked the otherwise peaceful suburban community, where violent crime is extremely rare.