Imagine coming home from a relaxing family vacation, only to find a stranger sitting on your couch, eating your food, and acting like they live there. 

That’s exactly what happened to a Shepparton family after a three-week trip overseas. What they walked into wasn’t just shocking—it was heartbreaking. 

This is a story about how quickly your life can turn upside down when you least expect it. 

The Homecoming Horror 

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When Sanjay Kuikel and his family returned from a three-week trip to Nepal, they expected to walk into their familiar home and settle back into everyday life. Instead, they opened the door to something they couldn’t have imagined. 

A man was sitting comfortably on their couch, watching TV, smoking, drinking, and eating pizza—like he belonged there.

Kuikel, a junior doctor working in regional Victoria, was with his wife Nilima Gautam and their two young children when they found the intruder. Shocked, he asked the man who he was. 

The man sitting on the couch was “drunk” and “enjoying his dinner”.

“When my husband said, ‘Who are you?’ He said, ‘I live here,’” 

That moment quickly shifted from confusing to terrifying. With two kids in the house and no idea if the man had a weapon, the family didn’t know what could happen next. 

“It was terrifying. They could have had a weapon,” Nilima Gautam said about finding the squatter on the couch. “It was shocking, especially having kids with you.”

The scene felt unreal. The home wasn’t just occupied—it had been taken over. Someone had moved in and treated it like their own, completely ignoring that it was a family’s personal space. What should’ve been a simple return home turned into a nightmare that changed everything for the Kuikel family.

The Aftermath: What Was Taken and Lost

Once the initial shock wore off, the family started to look around—and what they found made the situation even worse. Their home had been completely ransacked. Almost everything of value was gone. 

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An estimated $50,000 worth of belongings had been stolen, including gold and silver jewelry, bags, clothes, kitchen items, electronics, and even their children’s toys and school supplies.

One of the hardest losses was Nilima Gautam’s wedding jewelry, which had belonged to her late father. It wasn’t just expensive—it was deeply personal and emotional. These weren’t just things taken from them. They were memories, gifts, and items meant to be passed down to their children. 

Inside the home, the squatters had left behind signs that they had made themselves comfortable.  

There was drug paraphernalia, empty alcohol bottles, groceries, toiletries, and trash scattered throughout. It was clear they had moved in fully and taken over every part of the house. 

The space that once felt safe and familiar had been completely violated. The family wasn’t just dealing with stolen property—they were trying to process the loss of their sense of security, their privacy, and their home.

Police Response and Ongoing Harassment

After discovering the squatter in their home, the family immediately called the police. Officers arrived and removed the man from the property, but the relief was short-lived. 

Shockingly, the same man returned—more than once—claiming the home was his and continuing to act like he had every right to be there. Despite being removed by law enforcement, he kept coming back.

The situation quickly spiraled. According to Nilima, police told her that 17 to 20 different people had been seen coming and going from the house each day while the family was away. 

Neighbors had to call the police multiple times because of loud, drunken behavior and constant disturbances. What had once been a quiet family home had turned into a hotspot for chaos.

Even after the man was initially taken out, there was no real sense of peace. The family no longer felt safe, knowing that someone who had broken into their home could return at any time. 

Each knock on the door or noise outside became a new source of fear. For Sanjay and Nilima, it wasn’t just about what was stolen—it was the ongoing feeling of being watched, targeted, and powerless in their own home. 

A Family in Crisis: Temporary Housing and Emotional Toll

After everything they had been through, the Kuikel family couldn’t bring themselves to stay in the house. Even after the locks were changed, the fear lingered. 

With their home no longer feeling safe, they moved into temporary accommodation. What should have been a normal return from vacation had now forced them into a completely different life—one filled with anxiety, loss, and uncertainty.

The emotional toll was heavy. Nilima described the experience as terrifying, especially with two young children caught in the middle of it all. The kids had lost not just their toys and clothes, but the feeling of safety in their own home. 

Sanjay, a junior doctor who spends his days caring for others, found himself in a position he never expected—unable to protect his own family from something so violating.

They weren’t just dealing with stolen items. They were trying to rebuild a sense of normal life, piece by piece. The stress of finding a new place to stay, replacing basic belongings, and calming their shaken children became their new reality. 

What happened to them wasn’t just a break-in—it was a complete disruption of everything they had built. 

Rebuilding with Help — And a Warning for Others

In the middle of this nightmare, the Kuikel family turned to their community for support. Sanjay launched a GoFundMe campaign, asking for help to cover the cost of essentials, temporary housing, and stability for their children. 

He shared how the break-in had left them shaken, emotionally drained, and without a place to truly call home. So far, people have donated around $4,000 toward their $10,000 goal—each contribution helping them take a step closer to rebuilding their lives.

But this story is more than just a personal plea—it’s a warning to others. If this can happen to a family renting a home in a quiet area, it can happen to anyone. Homeowners and renters alike need to take extra steps to protect their property, especially when leaving for extended periods. 

Talk to your neighbors. Install cameras. Set up alarms. Have someone check on your place if you’re going to be away. These things may not guarantee safety, but they can make a big difference.

The Kuikel family never thought something like this could happen to them. Now they’re urging others to be more cautious, stay alert, and not take home security for granted. 

Conclusion

What happened to the Kuikel family is something no one expects—coming home to find strangers living in your house, your belongings gone, and your peace of mind shattered. 

It’s a deeply personal story of loss, fear, and resilience. While they work to rebuild their lives, their experience serves as a powerful reminder that home security isn’t just about locks and alarms—it’s about being prepared, staying connected, and knowing that things can change in an instant. 

Their story is heartbreaking, but it’s also a wake-up call for all of us. 

FAQs 

Why is it called “squatters”?

The word “squatter” originally came from a negative term used to describe someone living on land or property without permission or legal rights. It’s used to describe people who move into homes or buildings that don’t belong to them, without the owner’s consent.

Do squatters have rights in Northern Ireland?

Yes, in some cases. If a squatter stays in a property without being challenged for 12 years, they may be able to claim legal ownership. However, landlords in Northern Ireland don’t always need a court order to remove squatters, so the eviction process is usually quicker than with regular tenants.

Why do squatters have rights in the UK?

Squatter rights in the UK were created to protect people living in a place they believe they have a right to—especially in cases where landlords are missing, dishonest, or not maintaining the property. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of these laws to stay in homes they don’t truly have a right to, which has made squatting a controversial topic.

What does squatting mean for females (fitness-related)?

In fitness, squatting is a leg exercise for both men and women. To do a squat, you stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart and bend your knees and hips like you’re sitting down into a chair. Then, you stand back up. It works your thighs, hips, and glutes, and helps build lower-body strength.