His ascension came after his father, King Birendra, his mother and six other members of the royal family died in the blood bath at their Friday night meal. Reports from authorities blamed Dipendra for the deaths, saying he had sprayed automatic weapon fire across the dinner table in protest of parental resistance to his choice of a bride. After the homicides, he was said to have attempted suicide with a bullet to the head. Yesterday, thousands of Nepalese men shaved their heads, part of the ritual for mourning. Others merely scratched their heads, trying to figure out whether they were grieving about a crime of passion or a freakish accident.
People are unsure whom and what to believe about the deaths.
On Saturday morning, when most heard the news, Crown Prince Dipendra, a well-regarded young man, was blamed. The story grew more peculiar when the dying Dipendra was himself designated king. No mention was made of murder. Nepal's King Diprenda died yesterday after allegedly shooting his family and then himself. Then yesterday morning, Gyanendra, who had missed the fatal meal in the palace, issued the family's first account of what had occurred.