THRISSUR: The husband who woke up his sleeping wife and hacked her to death, committed suicide after setting himself ablaze. Rajagopalan (66) killed his wife Narayani aka Omana (60) at Mullappilly House in Ancheri. The incident took place at Ancheri Ulhas Nagar around 2.30 am yesterday.

The incident is suspected to be due to family quarrels and financial problems. Rajagopal's wife had lodged a complaint against her husband with the Ollur police in connection with the dispute. The preliminary conclusion is that the animosity in this was the reason for the murder.

Jayadeep, the youngest son who heard Omana's screams, was also hacked while trying to grab his father. Omana was rushed to Elite Hospital by her eldest son Mahesh and a neighbor but could not be rescued.

After hacking his wife, Rajagopal ran out of the house, poured petrol that was kept in the barn and set himself on fire. Rajagopal died shortly after the fire broke out. He is a retired KSRTC driver.

Omana's was hacked at several parts of her body. There is a pool of blood lying in the bedroom. Locals said there had been problems between the two for a long time. They also have a son named Rajesh. Daughters-in-law: Sreelakshmi and Neethu.

Police team led by Ollur CI Ajith Kumar shifted the body to the hospital for post-mortem.