KOZHIKODE: A 16-year-old girl was found murdered at her residence, and the primary suspect, a 20-year-old close relative, was later found dead in an apparent case of death by suicide at East Moozhikkal in Kozhikode. The police have launched a high-level investigation into the case.
The deceased have been identified as Nasreena (16) and Adnan (20). According to local residents, the two were cousins (children of two sisters).
The tragedy is believed to have taken place in the early hours of Tuesday while Nasreena’s mother, grandmother and two siblings were present in the house. The bodies were discovered in two separate rooms on Tuesday morning, after which the family and neighbours alerted the police.
Nasreena was a Class 10 student. Adnan lived approximately 15 kilometres away from Nasreena’s house in Kolathara. The police are currently investigating how and when Adnan reached the house and the circumstances that led to the crime.
Preliminary reports suggest that other family members were present in the house at the time of the incident.
The police indicated that Adnan allegedly reached the house using a duplicate key of the house and strangled Nasreena to death before he died by suicide.
Local residents have indicated that there may have been prior disputes between the two families, though the exact motive for the alleged murder-suicide remains unclear.
However, Adnan’s cause of death remains unconfirmed by authorities; City Police Commissioner Merin Joseph stated that a postmortem examination is required to officially determine if it was a case of suicide.
CCTV footage from the house and surrounding areas is being examined. The bodies have been moved to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for postmortem examinations.
Authorities stated that a clearer picture will emerge once the statements of the family members, who are currently at the hospital, are recorded.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)