The king's younger brothers succeeded to the throne amidst rumors that he had masterminded the massacre. Years of turmoil followed, from which Nepal is just now beginning to emerge. The articles and books the author accumulated included criminal forensic accounts, but these were speculative because rapid cremations in accord with Hindu custom preluded gathering systematic evidence. With few facts confirmed, suspicion was widespread among foreign commentators that Birendra's successor, his brother Gyanendra, has mass murdered his way to the throne.