A 21-year-old woman was found dead in mysterious circumstances inside her bedroom with duct tape covering her mouth and a cloth peg clipped to her nose.
The incident came to light Wednesday night in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Officials have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The victim, identified only by her first name as Sandra, suffered from severe depression and was undergoing treatment for the same, her father said, according to the Times of India.
Before the family discovered her body, Sandra had reportedly locked herself up in her bedroom while her father and brother were inside the house. Her mother was at work at the time.
The mother eventually checked in on her daughter and raised the alarm when Sandra didn’t answer the door.
Family members broke open the bedroom door to find her inside, according to some reports. However, the New Indian Express reported that Sandra’s mother managed to open the door from the outside with a key.
Upon entering the room, the family found Sandra lying unresponsive on her bed.
The cloth peg left an injury on her nose, officials said. Police also found abrasions on her face and believe they may have been caused while her family attempted to remove the tape from her face.
The woman was declared dead at the hospital.
Although the family said they do not suspect foul play, the police said they will be conducting a thorough probe into her death.
Sandra’s parents said their daughter had spoken about ending her life several times and would lock herself inside her room alone for long periods. They noted that she hit the brakes on her college education due to her mental health issues.
Forensic experts said the woman died of suffocation.
Officials said the victim may have died by suicide but are still waiting for the final results of the autopsy. The investigation is still ongoing.
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours a day.
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