T’puram: An 87-year-old man and his 81-year-old widowed sister-in-law were found charred to death inside their house at Chennankode in Ottoor near Varkala on Tuesday afternoon, with police launching an investigation to determine whether the incident was a case of murder-suicide or a suicide pact.Kallambalam police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated a detailed investigation. Officers are awaiting the forensic and autopsy reports.The deceased were identified as Sukumaran and Omana. Police said Omana’s husband, who was Sukumaran’s brother, had died several years ago. Since then, the two elderly relatives had been living together in the house by themselves.According to preliminary findings, the incident is believed to have occurred around 1.30pm. Neighbours became suspicious after noticing thick smoke billowing from the house. They immediately alerted the fire and rescue services and police.Firefighters forced their way into the house and extinguished the blaze. Police said Omana’s charred body was found on a bed inside a room, while Sukumaran’s body was discovered nearby. Investigators suspect that kerosene or a similar inflammable liquid had been poured over their bodies before they caught fire.Locals told police that the two often quarreled over domestic issues. Investigators are examining whether a dispute preceded the fatal incident.A forensic team examined the scene and collected evidence. The bodies were shifted to the mortuary of Govt Medical College Hospital, Parippally, where postmortem examinations are expected to determine the exact cause of death.
