MALAPPURAM: A couple and two boys were found dead in a rented house in Maitri Nagar, Munduparam. The deceased have been identified as Karatukunnummel Sabish (37), a native of Kuttikkattoor, Kozhikode, his wife Sheena (37), and sons Harigovind (six) and Srivardhan (two and a half). The bodies were found around 11 pm on Thursday.

Sabish and Sheena were hanging dead from the fan in two rooms, Sreevardhan's body was on the bed in Sabish's room and Harigovind's was on a mattress on the floor. Children had red spots on their necks. The police concluded that the couple took their own lives after killing their children due to depression over their children suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disease.

Harigovind was diagnosed with DMD at the age of one. A report was received from the hospital two days ago that the younger child also had the same symptoms. DMD is a disease that severely affects the muscles and can lead to disability and premature death in children.

Sabish is the Malappuram branch manager of a private financial institution. Sheena, who was an assistant manager at Malappuram SBI, was recently promoted to manager in Kannur. They settled in a rented house in Munduparamba a year and a half ago for the purpose of work.

After joining in Kannur, Sheena took a ten-day leave and reached Malappuram the other day to transport the goods. They had also applied to get the TC of Harigovind, a class 1 student of Malappuram Kendriya Vidyalaya, to enroll him in a school in Kannur. The parents were informed that the goods would be sent to Kannur on Thursday and that they would reach Sheena's house on the way. Later it was announced that the trip has been shifted to Friday morning.

Sheena's family contacted Sabish's friends after their phone calls went unanswered. When they reached home on Thursday night, they found it locked from inside and informed the police. Burial at Westhill Crematorium, Kozhikode at nine today morning.