Kochi: In a grim discovery, the body of a 51-year-old man was recovered from an abandoned building in Kochi’s Maradu on Tuesday morning. The deceased has been identified as Subhash, a native of Puthencruz. Police suspect he died following an accidental fall from the upper floors of the structure, which has been lying deserted for years.

According to Panangad police, the body, found in a decomposed state, is estimated to be at least four days old. Preliminary inquiry revealed severe injuries to the back of the head and fractures in both legs, consistent with a fall from a significant height.

The incident came to light when fishermen working in the nearby backwaters noticed a foul smell emanating from the building. Upon inspection, they discovered the body and immediately alerted the police.

The police recovered several personal items from the terrace, including an identity card belonging to Subhash, a bag, and a bed sheet, suggesting he had been inhabiting the space. The body was formally identified by his brother-in-law.

According to the police, the death appears to be accidental. “The building has a staircase that lacks handrails. It is possible he slipped while ascending or descending. We also suspect he may have been under the influence of alcohol, as a liquor bottle and glass were recovered from the terrace,” a police officer said.

Local representatives, including Maradu Municipality Chairperson Ajitha Nandakumar and Councilor Jabbar Pappana, visited the place. “We understand that Subhash had a history of leaving home intermittently for years and was reportedly facing a financial crisis. His sister is married and resides here in Maradu; he had visited her family a month ago,” Nandakumar said.

The building where the body was found has been a ghost structure for decades. Construction was halted and eventually abandoned midway after a structural defect caused the building to slightly tilt. Over time, the property has become overgrown with vegetation, providing a secluded spot where police believe Subhash had been living secretly.

The body will be shifted to Ernakulam General Hospital for the postmortem examination. The police are currently investigating how long Subhash had been utilising the abandoned building as a shelter. A case of unnatural death has been registered and further investigation has been launched.