Father of Shraddha Walkar, Murdered by Live-In Partner, Dies of Heart Attack While Awaiting Daughter’s Ashes

Shraddha Walker's father, Vikas Walker, died of a heart attack in Mumbai on Sunday.

Father of Shraddha Walkar, Murdered by Live-In Partner, Dies of Heart Attack While Awaiting Daughter’s Ashes

In a tragic development, Vikas Walkar, the father of 28-year-old Shraddha Walkar who was brutally murdered by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawala in Delhi's Merauli in 2022, died after suffering a massive heart attack on Sunday. He was 59. The incident adds another layer of sorrow to the family who was already grieving, as Shraddha's final rites remain incomplete.

Walker was chopped into 35 pieces by the Aftab Poonawala. Her family since 2022 has been fighting for justice. Depressed and awaiting his daughter's ashes, Vikas had been fighting for justice amid the ongoing murder trial.

"On Sunday morning, Vikas Walkar suffered a severe heart attack and was admitted to Cardinal Gracias Hospital in Vasai. He passed away during treatment. He resided in Sanskrit Apartment in Vasai," sources told the media.

Heart Attack And Mental Health: How Are They Connected?

For a grieving father, whose daughter was brutally murdered by her live-in partner depression is a usual thing. The same happened in the case of Shraddha Walkar's father, who was waiting for his daughter's justice and her ashes. As per reports, Vikas Walkar was in depression due to the delay in his daughter's case. To understand how this could have contributed to his untimely death (due to a heart attack), we reached out to experts.

Heart attack is a serious health condition that is marked by a sudden disruption in the blood flow to the heart -- this condition can be triggered by several factors including mental health issues. "Those who are dealing with depression are often at higher risk of suffering from chronic heart diseases. Depression which is a serious mental state can negatively affect lifestyle choices, like exercise, diet, and smoking, which in turn can increase heart disease risk. Moreover, depression might cause inflammation, which affects the cardiovascular system."

To understand the impact of a heart attack on a person who is already battling depression, we spoke to Dr Amitabh Banerjee, Kolkata. According to the cardiologist, when an individual who is already suffering from depression experiences a heart attack, the impact is more life-threatening -- this is both physical and mental.