Couple found dead at home, months after son’s death in train accident

A middle-aged couple was found hanging at their residence in Poinachi on Friday morning in an apparent case of suicide, police said. The incident comes months after the couple lost their teenage son in a train accident.

The deceased were identified as Venugopalan N. M. (50) and his wife Smitha M. (39), residents of Kairali Nagar in Poinachi . According to police, the couple were found hanging from the hand railing of the balcony located in the central hall of their house.

A relative who came to visit the house discovered the bodies at around 9.30 a.m. and immediately alerted the authorities.Police officials said a suicide note was recovered from the house during the preliminary examination. According to the note and initial findings, the couple had been struggling with depression following the death of their 19-year-old son, who was hit by a train in December last year.

Investigators believe the emotional distress caused by the tragic loss of their son may have led to the extreme step. However, officials said a detailed probe is underway to confirm the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The Melaparamba police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated an investigation. The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination and will be handed over to the relatives after the completion of the formalities, police added.