Kochi: In a shocking incident, a youth died as he slit his throat at Deshabhimani junction in Kaloor here on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Thoppumpadi native Christopher Decruz. The 24-year-old mechanical engineering graduate committed suicide around 5 pm near a pet shop of the local market.
The police say that Christopher resorted to the same after injuring his friend and Aluva native Sachin, and also hospitalising him thereafter. It is suspected that Christopher decided to kill himself fearing that Sachin won't survive the assault.
According to onlookers, around 5 pm on Monday, Christopher reached Kaloor and sat on the wayside near the local pet shop. He slit his hands and neck with a knife, but apparently continued to sit in the spot. The shopkeepers and passers-by noticed him when he lost consciousness after losing a good amount of blood. Police reached the location after merchants alerted them. However, Christopher had already lost his life by then. The death was confirmed at a nearby private hospital. Christopher's body was transferred to Ernakulam General Hospital for autopsy.
Suspecting that he hails from Thoppumpadi area, North Police summoned Christopher's relatives to identify the body. The son of Cyril Cruz and Marie Cruz, Christopher, had recently joined a new job. His father told MMTV that Sachin and Christopher were good friends who knew each other and their families well. They often visited each other's homes.
The family is not aware of any mental issues he was suffering from. Police are currently investigating the incident based on the CCTV footage from the market area.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling the helpline 1056, 0471-2552056)
