A man and a woman were found dead at a residence in Koovappally, Parathode in Kanjirapally, around 9.30 pm on Sunday. The man, Job Zacharia, a native of Thazhathangadi, was found hanging from the stairway in the living room, while the woman, identified as Sherly Mathew (40), was found dead on the floor with her throat slit.

The incident came to light after a relative was unable to reach Sherly by phone and alerted the police. Officers who arrived at the spot found both bodies. Police suspect a case of murder-suicide, with Job allegedly killing Sherly before hanging himself.

According to residents, Sherly had moved into the house around six months ago following the death of her husband. "Sherly built the house and moved into it a few months ago. She had initially said her name was Sherin, but now we know it is Sherly. She did not have much contact with anyone here. We do not know much about her except that her husband passed away and her children are abroad. Job is also not familiar to the neighbours here; we have not seen him before," said Parathode panchayat president Aliyar K U.

According to Parathode ward member Bijoji Thomas, Job was a divorcee. "Job's family, who arrived at the scene, said he had several pending loans and that there could have been financial transactions between Job and Sherly," he said. Police have registered an FIR under Section 194 (unnatural death), and inquest procedures are being conducted.