A deeply disturbing family tragedy has unfolded in northern Kerala, where a man and his mother allegedly killed two young children before dying by suicide, police said on Tuesday.

Children found poisoned at home in Ramanthali

The incident occurred in Ramanthali village near Payyannur in Kannur district. Police identified the deceased as Usha KT (56), her son Kaladharan KT (36), and his two children — Hima (6) and Kannan (2). All four were found dead inside their house on Monday night.

Investigators believe the children were poisoned by mixing pesticides into milk. A bottle containing milk and pesticide residue was recovered from the room, strengthening suspicions of foul play. Postmortem examinations confirmed that the children had been administered poison.

Custody dispute preceded the incident

According to police, Kaladharan and his wife, Nayanthara, were living separately. Following a legal complaint filed by Nayanthara seeking custody of the children, a court had directed Kaladharan to hand them over. Police had contacted him on Monday night to facilitate the transfer of custody, shortly before the incident came to light.

“Subsequently, Kaladharan and Usha also consumed poison and later died by hanging,” a senior police officer said, adding that the sequence of events is still under investigation.

Suicide note recovered, probe ongoing

An alleged suicide note was found at the scene, though police have not disclosed its contents. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and further investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances and timeline leading to the deaths.

After completion of postmortem procedures on Tuesday, the bodies were handed over to relatives for last rites.

Community in shock, mental health concerns highlighted

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising serious concerns about mental health distress, family conflict, and the pressures surrounding custody disputes. Police officials urged families experiencing emotional or legal stress to seek timely counselling and mediation.

If you or someone you know needs help

  • Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 9999 666 555 | [email protected]
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Seeking help is a sign of strength, and timely support can save lives.