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New Vrindaban mourns Divan family who died in Pennsylvania crash
Four senior citizens passed away in tragic car crash while traveling to ISKON temple.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Sun, 03, Aug 2025
- 22:53 EDT
- 42
The Divan family / ISKON News
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) has expressed their grief over the demise of the Divan family, who tragically passed away while travelling to Prabhupada's Palace of Gold, a spiritual retreat in Moundsville, West Virginia.
Four elderly members of an Indian-origin family were reported missing on July 29 and later found dead on Aug. 2.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased as Dr. Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan.
The senior citizens were scheduled to arrive at ISKON's New Vrindaban’s Palace Lodge on July 29. Alarms were raised by the lodge staff when the family failed to show up that night. Jaya Krsna das, temple president, worked closely with the Sheriff and the extended family who had initiated a helicopter search in the region.
In a statement, New Vrindaban’s Palace Lodge said, "It is with heavy hearts that we share the sorrowful news regarding the Divan family."
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office said that the family's vehicle "was located on August 2, at approximately 9:30 PM, off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road, in West Virginia".
The family was sighted last Erie, Pennsylvania, and a credit card transaction corroborated this location and was also reported to have been picked up by a state trooper's license plate reader, traveling south on I-79 around 2:45 PM on July 29.
Late on Aug. 2, their car was discovered at the bottom of a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road—just five miles from New Vrindaban, all four passengers were found dead.
New Vrindaban said that the "terrain where the crash occurred is notoriously difficult to navigate, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area”.
They also added, "At New Vrindaban, we issue clear travel directions in all confirmation emails, urging guests to avoid unreliable GPS routes and instead use Route 88 and Route 250. We remain committed to guest safety and continue working with Google Maps to improve navigation to our rural location."
The Divan family was also included in the temple's morning prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva and devotees and pilgrims prayed for them after Bhagavatam class. A yajna and kirtan will be held in their honor and for the peace of their souls, reported ISKON.
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