On Sunday morning, two Jersey City residents were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
Authorities have shared that police found Garima Kothari, 35, in her high-rise on Christopher Columbus Drive this morning, with trauma to her upper body, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.
Shortly after, police found her husband, Man Mohan Mall, dead in an apparent suicide in the Hudson River near Montgomery Street and Exchange Place, according to The Daily Voice.
“While it appears at this time that these deaths are the result of a murder-suicide, the final determination is still pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office,” Suarez said.
The couple was the owners of the newly-opened Indian food spot Nukkad in downtown Jersey City, located in the Paulus Hook neighborhood of Jersey City, at 105 Greene Street.
We are so saddened by this news, and had an article scheduled to go out this month about Nukkad. We’re sharing some of the background on Garima, who was the chef behind the operation.
^A photo of Chef Garima Kothari, sent to us just a few weeks ago
Jersey City is no stranger to Indian cuisine, however, this new downtown Indian spot had opened in February and was offering something unique to the Jersey City scene — classic Indian fare with modern fusions.
Owner and Chef, Garima Kothari, didn’t take the typical route to become a chef. She began her career with an MBA, working as an investment banker in India.
Years later, Garima decided to follow her heart and curiosity and auditioned to be on Master Chef India in 2010 where she was selected as a top 15 finalist. She then switched gears and got her pastry and baking education at the French culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu. Her well-rounded culinary background brought her to Jersey City where she continued pursuing her new career, working at various kitchens in Manhattan.
Garima brought her talents to Nukkad, which means street corner in Hindi, and she and her husband opened in the Paulus Hook neighborhood of Jersey City on February 3rd with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Steven Fulop.
Although Garima excelled in various culinary techniques, her heart lied with her Indian roots. According to the restaurant’s website, Garima and her husband curated Nukkad to satisfy the Desi {Indian sub-continent diaspora} nostalgia for Indian soul food over conversations.
This is a developing story. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201- 915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website.
Wishing their families peace and healing at this difficult time.
