Four members of a family, including two children, were found dead in their home in Kerala’s Thrissur district on Sunday. Police suspect they died of inhaling poisonous gas.
The deceased were identified as 41-year-old a software engineer and Kodungallur native, his wife, their two children, 14 and 7 years old, police said. They were found dead inside their room on the first floor of the house.
The house was filled with a toxic acid mix of calcium carbonate and zinc oxide, which might have resulted in the deaths, police said, adding they suspect it to be a case of suicide.
Windows and other ventilation points of the house were sealed with adhesive tapes, a police officer said.
When the house remained closed till noon, some neighbours opened the windows and found the four lying on the floor and alerted police. Police also found traces of carbon monoxide in the house.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination and the cause of death can be ascertained only after the autopsy results, the officer said.
(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 (available 24×7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline – 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
