Local News

Victim of Boston hotel murder-suicide identified as Brookline woman

25-year-old Aanya Vinay of Brookline was shot and killed by 43-year-old Keith Ashby of Boston, police said. His death has been ruled a suicide.

MOXY hotel in Boston. David L Ryan/Globe Staff

March 7, 2024

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The two people found dead in a Theatre District hotel last week were killed in a murder-suicide event, police confirmed.

Aanya Vinay of Brookline, 25, was shot and killed by 43-year-old Keith Ashby of Boston at 240 Tremont St., police said. His death has been ruled a suicide.

Boston police said Vinay and Ashby were pronounced dead on the 13th floor of the Moxy Boston Downtown hotel around noon on Feb. 26.

Ashby was deemed a high-risk sex offender who pleaded guilty of three counts of aggravated rape and kidnapping in 2007, according to public records. He was also noted as in violation for not keeping his information updated for authorities.

In an online obituary since taken down, Vinay was described as a loving mother and compassionate woman, the Boston Globe reported.

“Aanya was a miracle and brought a smile to everyone’s face and brightened up their lives,” the obituary read, according to the Globe. ”She was so full of love and laughter and happiness and compassion for others. Her love knew no bounds.”