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A devastating incident has taken place in Kerala, where a 57-year-old woman from Edappal in Malappuram district on November 12, 2025, allegedly killed her 27-year-old disabled daughter by drowning her in a water drum and then committed suicide by hanging herself from a tree outside her house. The victims have been identified as Anithakumari, a resident of Kandanakam, and her daughter Anjana, who was suffering from cerebral palsy for years. The bodies of both were found around 8 am in the morning, when Anita Kumari’s son had gone to work.

On being informed by the neighbour, the police reached the spot and found Anjana’s body neatly placed on the cot wrapped in a white sheet, giving the impression of a formal farewell. Anithakumari’s remains were hanging from a small branch, indicating a pre-planned dismemberment. Forensic teams immediately began investigation and sent the bodies to Edappal Taluk Hospital for post-mortem to confirm the incident—Anjana had died of drowning and her mother of suffocation.

Relatives said Anithakumari’s condition had deteriorated after her husband’s death a month earlier, and Anjana was bed-ridden and even doctors had described her condition as hopeless. “She bore the burden alone—the endless treatments, the mounting bills and the loneliness,” a cousin told investigators. Neighbors also echoed this sense of loneliness: “Anita rarely went out, her eyes were sad with unspoken pain.” No suicide note emerged, but her son’s testimony painted a picture of her deep depression amid financial hardships.

Malappuram police registered a case of unnatural death under section 174 of the CrPC and investigated possible aggravation. SP S. “Caregiver stress is a silent epidemic; this tragedy requires urgent mental health interventions,” urged Sujata. The incident is a reminder of the alarming suicide trends in Kerala: 28.5 suicides per lakh population—more than double the national figure of 12.4 suicides—and hanging is common among low-income, less-educated families in unorganized sectors.

State Health Minister Veena George announced counseling helplines and support for families with disabilities, while NGOs like Snehi Kerala pointed to rising cases of child suicide linked to not receiving treatment. He urged, “Depression thrives in the shadows; seek help before it’s too late.”

Bells are ringing for both in the mourning temples of Edappal—underscoring Kerala’s double burden: compassionate well-being amid a lack of mental health. Family: You are not alone—get help. Helplines like 104 are waiting for you.