Elderly Kerala couple found dead in suspected suicide pact after son's death
Kalathiparambil Sanjeevan, 72, and wife Sabitha, 63, were discovered dead at their Ernakulam home in what police believe was a suicide pact following years of grief over their only son's death from a heart attack.
Elderly Kerala couple found dead in suspected suicide pact after son's death
An elderly couple struggling with prolonged grief following their son's death were found dead at their residence in Ernakulam district on Wednesday, in what police suspect was a suicide pact.
Kalathiparambil Sanjeevan, 72, and his wife Sabitha, 63, were discovered hanging in the front room of their house in Njarakkal, a coastal area in Kochi's Vypin region. The incident has drawn attention to Kerala's ongoing mental health crisis, with the state recording a suicide rate of 30.6 per 100,000 population in 2023 — more than double the national average of 12.3 and the third-highest among Indian states.
Police investigators found no evidence of forced entry or third-party involvement at the scene. While both victims had their hands tied behind their backs, authorities indicated that preliminary findings suggest they may have restrained each other before taking the fatal step.
"One of the knots was noticeably loose, suggesting they tied each other up before the incident. At this stage, our investigation points to suicide. There are no suspicious circumstances, although the postmortem examination will provide greater clarity."
An unnatural death case has been registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which mandates police to conduct immediate inquiries and report to the Executive Magistrate in cases of suspicious or unnatural deaths.
Years of unresolved trauma
According to investigators, the couple had been living with severe emotional distress since the death of their only son, Sijoy, who suffered a fatal heart attack at age 33 several years ago. Sudden cardiac death is a growing concern in South India, contributing to approximately 10.3 percent of overall mortality in the region, with cases occurring 5-8 years younger in Indians compared to Western populations.
The tragedy left both parents deeply affected, and they reportedly became increasingly isolated following their loss. Family-related issues account for 43.1 percent of suicides in Kerala, significantly higher than the national average of 31.9 percent, according to 2023 data.
Before his son's death, Sanjeevan had worked abroad and later returned to Kerala to operate a marine workshop in Manjakkad. Sabitha was a retired employee of the Kerala High Court.
Police revealed that the couple had previously attempted suicide approximately one year ago by slitting their wrists. They survived after receiving extensive medical treatment and were subsequently monitored closely by family members. Research indicates that Kerala's elderly population faces a substantially elevated suicide risk of 2.2 percent, particularly concerning given both victims were in this age bracket.
Following the earlier incident, Sanjeevan's brother had been maintaining daily contact with the couple through regular telephone calls to check on their wellbeing.
Discovery and investigation
The tragedy came to light after Sanjeevan telephoned his brother on Tuesday, requesting that he visit their home around 9am the following morning. When repeated calls on Wednesday morning went unanswered, the concerned brother contacted a neighbour and asked them to check on the couple.
The neighbour found the front door open and discovered the bodies inside, immediately alerting police authorities.
Investigators completed inquest proceedings at the residence before transferring the bodies for postmortem examination. Based on evidence collected at the scene, authorities have found no indication of foul play, though they await autopsy results for confirmation.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of broader social challenges in Kerala. A 2019 Economic Survey linked the state's elevated suicide rates to weakened social bonds and geographically dispersed online social networks, suggesting that person-to-person social connections may be weaker compared to other states — a pattern reflected in the couple's reported withdrawal from social contact after their son's death.
Ernakulam district, home to approximately 3.28 million residents and serving as Kerala's major industrial, financial and commercial hub, has seen similar cases highlighting the need for expanded mental health and bereavement support services. Organizations including the Sukh-Dukh Helpline provide grief counseling in Malayalam and other Indian languages for those experiencing loss and emotional distress.
