September 21, 1998
Palo Alto, California
Software engineer Vladimir Pokhilko murders his wife and son before killing himself

Pokhilko, who is credited as “co-inventing the seminal videogame Tetris,” had apparently been facing financial difficulties. He bludgeoned and stabbed his wife Elena Fedotova and their son Peter (12) as they slept, then sliced his own throat.

A note was found in Vladimir’s study which read “I’ve been eaten alive. Vladimir. Just remember that I am exist. The davil.” It was not considered by investigators to be a suicide note. The case was officially closed as a double murder-suicide.