Thodupuzha: The police team probing the recovery of bodies of four members of a family from a pit adjacent to their house at Kambakakanam near here on Wednesday has intensified efforts to unravel the mystery behind the blood-chilling incident.
Forensic and circumstantial evidence as well as testimonies by local people could prove crucial for the police in cracking the case. Since no signs of forcible entry were found, investigators surmise the killers were known to the victims.
Although the motive behind the murders still remains a mystery, the police suspect a possibility of personal enmity behind the killings. The investigation team would also probe all possible angles including witchcraft as a case had been registered against Krishnankutty, one of the victims, for performing black magic and other occult rituals, a few years ago.
Also read: 7 phone numbers may help cops crack Kerala family's murder
It could be an act of revenge for a failed attempt of witchcraft or sorcery as well, the police said. Recently, some people from the area had approached the police complaining that Krishnan had taken money from them on the pretext of performing black magic.
The condition of the bodies indicated that the victims could have been killed at least three days ago.
Krishnan’s call records would be examined, the police said.
The investigators suspect involvement of more than one person as it would not have been easy for a single person to overpower Krishnan who had a sturdy, muscular physique. The murderers fled the scene after cleaning the blood stains on the floor.
The police have also launched efforts to identify the persons who circulated the photos of the victims' naked, decomposing bodies on social media.
The family led a secluded life
The deceased family originally hailed from Melukavu in Kottayam’s Meenachil taluk. Krishnan, along with his brothers, had been living in Killippara near Vannapuram in Idukki district, before they shifted to Kambakakanam about twelve years ago.
Neighbours have told the police that the family largely kept to themselves and clients used to visit Krishnan regularly seeking his help to get things done through sorcery.
The family was living in a small house until three years ago. They started to build a new house on the same plot in 2015 with aid from the local panahcyat and it took almost two years for them to complete it. A few months ago, a shed was constructed in the backyard to accommodate visitors and guests.
Although Krishnan’s brothers too live in the same locality, the family, whose house situated in a secluded place adjacent to a rubber estate, was not in contact with them. According to the relatives, they chose to keep themselves away from the funeral of Krishnan’s mother when she died a few years ago.
On Wednesday, when local milkman Sasi went to the house to check why did the family stop collecting milk from him since Monday, he found several blood stains on the wall and the celling. The fuse was removed from its holder and kept on the metre box. Subsequently, he alerted the neighbours and the police.
The bodies of Krishnan, 60, wife Susheela, 47, their daughter Arsha, 21, and son Arjun, 19, were found after the police dug up a pit in the compound. There were marks of deep injuries on the bodies of the deceased.
Read more: Latest Kerala news
