Decomposed Bodies Of 4 Family Members Found Inside Locked Home, Foul Play Suspected

Four members of a family were found dead inside a locked home in India on Sunday evening. The bodies were severely decomposed when cops arrived at the house.

The incident came to light when neighbors detected a stinking smell coming from inside the house. They suspected foul play and alerted the cops. Officers said when they arrived at the scene, the front door of the house was locked from inside, Odisha Bytes reported.

They inspected the premises and then decided to break open the entrance door. Cops found the bodies of four people lying on the floor inside the home.

The victims were identified as Seshadev (55), his wife Khireswari Meher (48) and their son Arabinda Meher (28) and daughter Shivani Meher (20). All four likely died at least three days before the bodies were found, police said.

The incident took place in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

A forensic team will collect evidence from the scene Monday. The bodies were sent for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. No suspects were named in the case, the Statesman reported.

It is not confirmed if the victims were involved in a suicide pact. The house has been sealed.

In September, the decomposing body of a 5-year-old boy was found inside a plastic bag on the roof of a home in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The body of the boy, who went missing, was found after neighbors informed authorities of a foul smell.

Earlier this year in the same state, a mother was found living with the decomposing bodies of her adult children inside an apartment. The daughter, aged 30, likely died four days prior to the discovery, police said. Her 20-year-old son reportedly died the day before.

Police believe drug overdose could be the reason for their deaths.