Mananthavady: An elderly woman, who had allegedly hacked her body with a knife, died due to excessive blood loss on Friday. The deceased is Mary (67), wife of Poovathinkal Chacko, a native of Payyampalli, near here. 

The incident came to light around 7.45 am when her husband Chacko, who had gone to church in the early morning, returned home. All the doors of the house were found locked from the inside. Chacko grew suspicious when Mary did not respond even after he repeatedly knocked at the front and back doors. He then alerted the neighbours, who broke open the back door.

According to neighbours, Mary was found lying in a pool of blood on the floor, with injuries on her left leg and left hand. It was suspected that the woman, who was mentally unstable, might have inflicted the injuries on her own body in a bout of fury or distress.  

Though she was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital, Mananthavady, the doctors declared her dead on arrival. The Mananthavady police completed the inquest and registered a case of unnatural death. The body will be released to the relatives after completing the post-mortem in the afternoon.  

Apart from husband Chacko, Mary is survived by son Santhosh and daughter Sangeetha. One of her two sons, Shaji, died earlier. The last rites of the woman will be held at St Alphonsa Church, Padamala, said relatives.