Family’s suicide bid: Woman, daughter die in Kottayam, father, son in serious condition

KOTTAYAM: A woman and her daughter died after the couple’s suicide attempt by poisoning their children. The dead has been identified as Josna (40), wife of Thomas alias Joby (50) of Ayarkunnam Lakkattoor Chirapuram, and her daughter Mariya Thomas Theresa, aged 17. Mariya died early Saturday morning at 5.30. Her mother died in the evening after the postmortem proceedings of Mariya were completed. The two will be laid to rest later. The condition of Joby and his younger son Alan Thomas (12) is serious.

The four-member family were found unconscious inside their house on July 13 after consuming herbicide. A bottle of the herbicide was recovered from the house. Josna and her children mixed the herbicide in juice and Thomas in liquor. Police suspect that financial issues may have driven the family to take the drastic step.

Josna's brother of Kothanalloor tried calling her several times on Monday, but she did not pick up the phone. When he reached her house, the house was found locked. Later found the four in a weak condition in the house. He broke open the back door and then with the help of the local residents, took the three to Kottayam Medical College Hospital and Alan to a children's hospital.

Josna was a collection agent at the Kooropada Service Cooperative Bank. Mariya was a plus two student of Mattakkara HSS.