$200K bond set for suspect in relatives’ deaths

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — A $200,000 bond has been set for a Florence man accused of stabbing his wife and her mother to death at their home last summer.

Circuit Judge Michael Nettles on Thursday set bond for 34-year-old Hiralkumar Gopaldas on two counts of murder.

Authorities arrested Gopaldas three days after finding the bodies of his wife, 31-year-old Punam Gopaldas, and her 56-year-old mother, Vinaben Patel. The women had been stabbed to death in the family’s home, and the couple’s 2-year-old son was found lying next to his dead mother.

Prosecutors say Gopaldas and his wife were going through a divorce.

His attorney says Gopaldas was working at a hotel when the women died, and trial is set to begin June 11. Gopaldas’ father has also been charged in the case.