Double homicide suspected in Idukki as body parts found after mother, son disappear

Almost a month after a 70-year-old woman, Marykutty and her son, Reji (48), residents of Ponnuttayil house in Pachadi, Nedumkandam, were reported missing, human body parts were found in a cow dung pit in the backyard of their house on Monday. Idukki police, suspecting a double homicide, have launched a probe and initiated steps to identify the remains found in the pit.

According to the police, though Marykutty and Reji were missing since April 2, it was only on Sunday that a complaint was lodged by Marykutty’s daughter. The human remains were found the following day after police initiated an investigation.

A leg bone, still clothed in what appeared to be the remains of a pair of trousers, was recovered from the ground near their residence around 11 am. Following this, a detailed examination led by a forensic team was carried out, during which two bodies were recovered at around 1.45 pm. Police suspect these may be of the missing Reji and Marykutty. 

Marykutty was living in the house with her two sons. As part of the missing case, police tried to record a statement from Reji’s younger brother Saji on Sunday. However, he was reportedly absconding when the police reached the house.

Based on the instructions of the District Police Chief, a team led by Kattappana DySP Shajan and Nedumkandam SHO K L Thomas carried out preliminary inspections.

Officials said a detailed search would be conducted with the help of forensic and fingerprint experts, and soil at the site would be excavated to recover any remains.

Police stated that only a thorough excavation could confirm the presence of more bodies. It is also learned that Marykutty's husband has been missing for some time.