How did Malayali family die in Pune? Suicide note reveals why they took extreme step

PUNE: A three-member Malayali family was found dead after an apparent suicide at their apartment in Pimpri, Pune, on Saturday, police said. The deceased have been identified as Vinod P. S. (47), a native of Vattiyoorkavu, his wife Silja Pillai (44), and their daughter Poornima (20). The family had been living in Pune for around 20 years.

Police recovered a suicide note and a container believed to contain sodium nitrite from the apartment. According to the note, the family had been facing severe financial hardship, and no one else should be held responsible for their decision.

Police said Vinod is believed to have procured the sodium nitrite online and that inhalation of fumes produced from the substance is suspected to have caused the deaths. The exact cause of death will be confirmed through the post-mortem examination and forensic investigation.

Silja, a teacher at a private school, had been absent from work for two days, prompting colleagues to visit the family's apartment. They found the three unconscious and, with the help of neighbours, rushed them to hospital. Vinod was declared dead on arrival, while Silja and Poornima, who were in critical condition, died on Sunday.

Police said Vinod had been unemployed for the past several months after losing his job at a private firm, and that the family was burdened by heavy debt. They had sold their house in Nehru Nagar three years ago and had since been living in a rented apartment in Morwadi.

Vinod's mother, Saraswathi, lives with her daughter in Kottayam. His father, Prabhakaran Nair, is deceased.
The bodies have been kept at the hospital. Funeral rites will be conducted in Pune after relatives arrive.

(Suicide is not a solution to anything. Try to survive. Seek help from mental health experts. Call 'Disha' helpline when you have such thoughts. Toll-free number: 1056, 0471- 2552056)