Jaahnavi Kandula death: Seattle police officer who made remark about limited significance fired

A Seattle Police Department officer who joked and made insensitive remarks following the death of 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula last year has been fired.

The officer was identified as Daniel Auderer.

According to an internal email that SPD Chair Sue Rahr sent to the department, Auderer’s behavior was described as “unusual,” Komo News reported.

Rahr also acknowledged that the media had reported extensively on the case.

“I realize it is unusual for a supervisor to explain a disciplinary decision to an entire organization,” Rahr wrote.

“However, this is an unusual circumstance and I feel I owe it to all of you to do so. This case has been widely covered in public, it has attracted the attention of the international media and diplomats, and I am confident that everyone in this organization has had the opportunity to learn about the case and hear the words of the official himself.”

“I want to share the outcome of this case with all of you because the far-reaching consequences of the officer’s actions impact all of us, not just as members of the Seattle Police Department, but the law enforcement profession,” Rahr’s email said.

Internal police sources told KIGN 5 that Rahr was seriously considering suspending Auderer for 30 days.

In order not to appear too lenient, the boss ultimately decided to terminate the contract.

The 23-year-old Indian student Kanduladied after she hit by a police vehicle driven by another police officer, Kevin Dave, as she crossed a street in Seattle on January 23, 2024.

The officer was driving at a speed of over 74 mph when he responded to a 911 call about a drug overdose.

Kandula was thrown 30 metres when she was hit by the speeding police patrol car.

Police officer Auderer, who was not involved in the January collision, was caught on video saying on the phone, “But she’s dead,” and laughing.

He continued: “She was 26 anyway. It had only limited value.“