Autopsies Conducted on Five Family Members Found Dead in Kochi Home
Autopsies were performed on Sunday for the five members of a family discovered deceased at their rented residence in Vaduthala, Kochi. The grim discovery was made on Saturday morning at a two-storied house situated on Karshaka Road.
Details of the Deceased and Preliminary Findings
The deceased have been identified as Aswathi Nair, aged 36, her mother Sreekumari, 58, and Aswathi's three minor children: two boys aged 14 and 4, and a two-year-old daughter. All were originally from Vilappilsala in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to preliminary postmortem results, there is no indication of foul play. The autopsies revealed that the adult women died due to hanging, while the children succumbed to poisoning. Samples have been dispatched to a forensic laboratory for comprehensive analysis to confirm these initial assessments.
An officer from the Ernakulam North police stated that the primary investigation suggests the deaths likely occurred on the night of March 18. The bodies were formally identified by Aswathi's father and brother before being released to the family for last rites. The cremation took place at the Pachalam crematorium.
Scene of the Tragedy and Discovery of Suicide Note
The bodies were found on Saturday morning under poignant circumstances. Sreekumari was discovered wearing a saree. The two younger children were found on a bed, covered with blankets and well-dressed, complete with sunglasses. The 14-year-old boy was located in another room, lying on a sheet spread on the floor and dressed in formal attire.
Police recovered a suicide note from the residence, which provided insight into the possible motives behind this heartbreaking incident. The note indicated that Aswathi's husband had died by suicide the previous year after being diagnosed with acute liver disease, reportedly linked to a drinking problem.
The note further suggested that Aswathi was deeply distressed because her husband's family had been blaming her for his suicide. This emotional turmoil appears to have contributed to the tragic events, as per police interpretations of the note's contents.
The investigation continues as authorities await detailed forensic reports to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this family tragedy in Kochi.
