Cop Who Laughed At Jaahnavi’s Death Fired

Photo: OpenOversight

India-West News Desk

SEATTLE, WA – A Seattle Police Department officer has been terminated following outrage over his insensitive remarks and laughter after the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student. Kandula was struck and killed by a speeding police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave while crossing a street on January 23 last year.

Bodycam footage released by the Seattle Police Department captured Officer Daniel Auderer laughing and making callous comments after the incident. Auderer was heard saying, “Uh, I think she went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes, flew off the car… But she is dead.” He then “laughed hard for four seconds,” according to the department’s Disciplinary Action Report.

Auderer’s body-worn camera also recorded him saying, “Yeah, just write a check. Just, yeah (laughter). $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.” In an interview with the Office of Police Accountability, Auderer claimed he was mocking city attorneys who might handle a wrongful death lawsuit.

Interim Chief Sue Rahr announced Auderer’s termination in an internal email, stating that his actions had inflicted deep pain on Kandula’s family and brought shame to the department. “For me to allow the officer to remain on our force would only bring further dishonor to the entire department,” she said.

Rahr emphasized the difficult balance between intent and impact in this case, noting the severe damage to public trust caused by Auderer’s comments. She highlighted the widespread outrage, even among typically pro-police individuals, over the dehumanizing nature of Auderer’s laughter and remarks.

“This authority rests on the public’s trust that officers will demonstrate respect for the sanctity of human life. The officer’s laughter and callous comments about the ‘limited value’ of Ms. Kandula’s life displayed a cruel mockery of the sanctity of her life. That is a betrayal of that sacred trust,” Rahr stated in her email.