KOLLUR: Vasudha Chakravarthy, a 45-year-old professional photographer hailing from Bengaluru, was found dead in the Souparnika River in Kollur days after going missing. Vasudha is known for her works focusing on religious sites. She had travelled to the Kollur Mookambika temple on August 27 alone from Bengaluru by car. After parking her car in the temple premises, Vasudha went inside the shrine.

According to the temple authorities, Vasudha looked crestfallen inside the temple and was not in her best self. As per the last witnesses, Vasudha was seen running away from the temple. She was last spotted down the temple road.

Vasudha’s mother, Vimala, tried to contact her but to no avail. Her phone was found to be switched off. Disturbed over Vasudha not picking up her phone, Vimala travelled all the way to Mookambika Kollur and filed a complaint. Some of the passersby then told police of spotting a woman resembling Vasudha jumping into the river.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel, diving specialist Eshwar Malpe and others carried out search operations and Vasudha’s body was found entangled in the bushes, almost three kilometres downstream. The body was taken back to Kollur, and the final rites were conducted later.

Vasudha, known for her special proclivity for wilderness, spent most of her time among tribal communities in Ooty, Masinagudi, and Mudumalai. She has also collaborated with film directors for certain projects.