In a chilling discovery, the skeletons of five individuals were found inside a dilapidated house in Chitradurga, Karnataka, raising questions about the circumstances of their deaths. The police suspect that the family, including an 80-year-old retired PWD engineer and his wife, may have died in 2019, and the cause of death remains unknown. The eerie find has left investigators and neighbors baffled, contemplating how an entire family could perish without anyone noticing.The unsettling discovery came to light when a local resident ventured into the seemingly abandoned building and stumbled upon a skeleton. The information reached the authorities after the local tipped off a journalist, leading to a prompt response from the police. Preliminary investigations have not ruled out suicide, and there is speculation that the bodies may have been undiscovered for nearly five years.Chitradurga Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Kumar Meena stated that a call from the journalist prompted officials to investigate. The dilapidated main door was found broken, leading to the discovery of the first skeleton. Forensics experts and the crime investigation department were summoned to the scene, unveiling four more bodies.The deceased have been identified as Jagannath Reddy (80), a retired PWD engineer, his wife Premakka (72), and their three children — Triveni (55), Krishna (51), and Narendra (53). Four skeletons were found in the first room, with two on a bed and two on the floor. The fifth was discovered in a different room in a sleeping position.Property documents confirmed that the house belonged to Jagannath, adding a layer of mystery to the familys tragic end.Timeline and possible causesWhile the cause of death remains undetermined, authorities believe suicide is a plausible explanation. The familys secluded lifestyle and lack of interaction with neighbours have added complexity to the investigation. Household items, including a 2019 calendar and the last paid electricity bill, suggest that the family may have died in 2019. Forensic examinations will be crucial in establishing the exact date and cause of death.Jagannaths substantial medical expenses for his ailing wife, Premakka, were revealed through power bills. The couple had four children, with one, Manjunath, having passed away in 2014. The remaining two sons and daughters were unmarried.Secluded life and communication habitsNeighbours described the family as living a completely secluded life, with the last sighting reported in June or July 2019. The family rarely left the house, and communication with the outside world was limited to a window through which they interacted without opening the door.Investigators have initiated a probe into possible intrusions at the property after the deaths. Signs of the house being ransacked raise questions about whether the family faced any external threats or if the scene of the crime was disturbed after their demise.
