Pathanamthitta: A man was found hanging, and his wife was discovered dead with a throat injury at Cherathodu in Mallappally East here on Friday. The deceased have been identified as Puliyarissery Reghunathan (71) and his wife Sudha (61).

The incident came to light around 9.20 am. Their son, who is in Ernakulam, tried calling his parents but couldn't reach them by phone. He then asked a friend to check on them.

"When his friend came looking for them, he found Sudha's body near the kitchen and Reghunathan hanging inside a nearby shed," said Mallappally panchayat president Vidhyamol. He then immediately informed the police and panchayat authorities. 

Sudha had injuries on her neck, and a piece of cloth was found stuffed in her mouth. Bloodstains were found inside the kitchen, and the back door of the house was open. The FIR states that her death is a case of murder; however, the police have yet to confirm whether it was a murder-suicide.

The Keezhvaipur police said that the investigation is ongoing in the case. They declined to disclose further details.