ALAPPUZHA: A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Krishnapuram in Alappuzha, where a couple decided to end their lives due to financial difficulties. Tragically, the wife was found hanging, while the husband abandoned the suicide attempt in fear and fled. The deceased has been identified as Rajeshwari Amma (48), wife of Sreevalsan Pillai (58) from Perungala, Kayamkulam. The couple had been living in a rented house in Krishnapuram for the past nine months after selling their home and property due to financial debts.

On Wednesday night, they attempted suicide together. Initially, Sreevalsan tried to strangle Rajeshwari with a rope, but when she began bleeding from her mouth, he stopped. They then planned to jump in front of a vehicle, but after reaching the road, they changed their minds and returned home. Rajeshwari made a second attempt, tying a shawl around her neck and hanging herself.

Panicked by her death, Sreevalsan fled the house on his scooter, heading towards Kannanakuzhy. When repeated calls to Rajeshwari went unanswered, he informed the matter to some of his relatives. Following this, Rajeshwari's sister arrived, broke open the locked door, and discovered Rajeshwari hanging.

The Kayamkulam police, after tracing Sreevalsan’s phone tower location, found him in Kannanakuzhy and took him into custody. Relatives revealed that Sreevalsan had been suffering from mental distress since a head injury sustained in a car accident years ago.

Although the initial conclusion points to suicide, police stated that only a postmortem could confirm the cause of death. Rajeshwari's body was moved to the Alappuzha Medical College mortuary for the autopsy. The couple’s daughters, Veena and Vindhya, who live in Pune, are expected to arrive for the funeral, which will be held today.