Puttur: The body of a 44-year-old man who had gone missing after leaving his motorcycle and mobile phone on the old Kumaradhara bridge at Uppinangady was found in the Netravati river at Bollara in 34 Nekkilady village on Monday, October 5.
The deceased was identified as Madhava Gowda, a resident of Perabe in Hirebandady village. He had gone missing on October 2 after leaving home for his newly started tyre puncture repair shop at Athoor.
His motorcycle and mobile phone were later found abandoned on the old bridge over the Kumaradhara river at Uppinangady, prompting a search operation by the fire and emergency services. His body was eventually spotted by local residents in the Netravati river three days after he went missing.
Madhava went missing on October 2
According to the report, Madhava had recently started a tyre puncture repair shop at Athoor.
He left his home on October 2 intending to go to the shop but did not return. His family members became concerned when he failed to come back and efforts to locate him did not yield any information.
His motorcycle and mobile phone were subsequently found on the old bridge over the Kumaradhara river at Uppinangady.
The discovery of the belongings at the bridge raised concerns that Madhava may have entered or fallen into the river. A search operation was then initiated in the surrounding area.
Search operation launched in Kumaradhara
A fire service team and divers conducted a search on October 4 around the confluence of the Kumaradhara and Netravati rivers.
The search was carried out after Madhava’s motorcycle and mobile phone were found on the bridge. However, the teams could not locate him during the initial operation.
The search area included the stretch where the Kumaradhara joins the Netravati, as investigators and rescuers attempted to determine whether Madhava had entered the water.
Despite the efforts of the fire service personnel and divers, no trace of him was found on October 4.
The search continued amid uncertainty over his whereabouts.
Body spotted at Bollara
The breakthrough came on October 5 when local residents noticed a body in the Netravati river at Bollara in 34 Nekkilady village.
The body was recovered and subsequently identified as that of Madhava Gowda.
The location where the body was found was away from the old Kumaradhara bridge where his motorcycle and mobile phone had been discovered.
The recovery ended the three-day search for Madhava, who had remained missing since October 2.
Family speaks about health struggles
According to family members, Madhava had been dealing with depression for around 14 years.
The family also said he had struggled with alcohol addiction. Around four months before his disappearance, he had reportedly undergone treatment at a hospital in Puttur to overcome his addiction.
However, family members said Madhava had resumed drinking around three days before he went missing.
These details have emerged as part of the family’s account of his circumstances before the disappearance.
Police have registered a case at Uppinangady police station in connection with the incident.
Suspected suicide angle
Based on the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and the recovery of his body from the river, Madhava is suspected to have died by suicide.
However, the exact circumstances leading to his death remain subject to police investigation.
The discovery of his motorcycle and mobile phone on the old bridge, followed by the recovery of his body from the Netravati river, forms the basis for the suspicion.
Police will examine the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death as part of the case.
The available report does not indicate any confirmed involvement of another person in the incident.
Madhava survived by wife and two daughters
Madhava is survived by his wife and two daughters.
His disappearance had prompted a search operation involving fire service personnel and divers. The recovery of his body on October 5 brought the search to an end.
The incident has left the family and local community in shock, particularly after the initial search operation at the Kumaradhara-Netravati confluence failed to locate him.
The case has now been registered at Uppinangady police station, and further details may emerge as police complete their investigation.
Investigation continues
The recovery of Madhava’s body has provided an end to the search, but investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.
The sequence of events began on October 2 when he left home for his tyre puncture shop. His motorcycle and mobile phone were later found on the old Kumaradhara bridge.
A search operation was conducted on October 4, followed by the discovery of his body in the Netravati river at Bollara on October 5.
Police will examine the available information and statements to establish the circumstances leading to his death.
Conclusion
The body of 44-year-old Madhava Gowda, who had been missing since October 2, was found in the Netravati river at Bollara in 34 Nekkilady village. His motorcycle and mobile phone had earlier been found on the old Kumaradhara bridge at Uppinangady.
A search by fire service personnel and divers had been conducted at the Kumaradhara-Netravati confluence. Police have registered a case at Uppinangady station, while the circumstances surrounding Madhava’s death are being investigated.