Wealthy businessman ‘stalked 50 miles from casino to his home and killed while wife and kids slept’

A WEALTHY pharmaceutical executive was stalked 50 miles back to his home from a casino after a big win before being murdered in an attempted robbery, police say.

Sree Ranga Aravapalli was shot dead at his home in New Jersey as his wife and daughter slept after cashing out around $10,000 from a casino in Pennsylvania.

The 54-year-old left the venue at the Parx Casino in Bensalem in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

He was followed the 50 miles back to his home in the affluent neighborhood in Plainsboro by 27-year-old Jekai Reid-John, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Shortly after 3.30am, cops were alerted to reports of gun shots, and officers found Aravapalli at the scene with multiple wounds.

He was rushed to hospital but was tragically pronounced dead, according to authorities who deemed the incident an attempted robbery.

Reid-John was arrested on Tuesday and was charged with first-degree murder - but authorities say the investigation is continuing and other charges are expected.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Aravapalli worked at the CEO of Aurex Labs in East Windsor for more than seven years.

Eric Hausler, the CEO of Parx Casino, confirmed the company is cooperating with police.

"We are deeply saddened by the report that earlier this week a customer of Parx Casino was the victim of a homicide at his home after returning from a visit to the casino," he said.

"We have learned that law enforcement officials have arrested a suspect who followed the victim home from the casino that night.

“Parx Casino has been cooperating fully with local and state law enforcement agencies in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey and will continue to do so.

"Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim at this incredibly difficult time.”

Police Chief Frederick Tavener shared the department's condolences with Aravapalli's family, branding his death an "alarming event".

'UNEXPECTED'

"On behalf of the Plainsboro Police Department, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the Aravapalli family for their tragic loss," he said in a statement.

"This is an unexpected and alarming event for their family, friends and our entire community.

"I want to reassure the Plainsboro community that our officers and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office are conducting a thorough and systematic investigation into this matter.

"We will continue to conduct proactive and vigilant patrols throughout the Township and will update the community with the outcome of the investigation, when appropriate."

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective William Atkinson of the Plainsboro Police Department at (609)799-2333 or Detective Paul Kelley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732)745-3330.