Couple, friend found dead in Arunachal hotel room
A KERALA couple and their friend were found dead inside a hotel room in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, April 2, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The deceased were identified as Arya B Nair from Thiruvananthapuram, and Naveen Thomas and his wife Devi Thomas, both residents of Kottayam. Their bodies were discovered in a room at Hotel Blue Pine in Hapoli, Lower Subansiri district.
According to reports, Naveen was involved in online trading, while Devi taught German and Arya taught French at the same private school.
The couple left their Kottayam residence on March 17. Ten days later, on March 27, they travelled to Arunachal Pradesh with Arya. Police confirmed the three boarded a flight to Guwahati together.
A missing person report for Arya had been filed with Thiruvananthapuram police on March 27. The investigation revealed frequent communication over the phone between Arya and Devi. When officers arrived to locate Devi, they learned from relatives that the couple was on a trip.
Arunachal Pradesh police stated initial investigations suggest suicide, but a definitive conclusion awaits the autopsy report. Two blades were also found in the hotel room.
Kerala police said they are sending a team to Arunachal Pradesh to investigate the deaths. Speculation has arisen regarding the possibility of black magic being involved, but authorities have not confirmed this.
“There appears to be something unusual about the situation,” said Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner C Nagaraju. “However, we cannot definitively say anything until we examine their mobile phones and other electronic devices.”
Nagaraju added that a team would be dispatched that evening and a clearer picture may emerge after collecting evidence.
Soorya Krishnamoorthy, a friend of the couple’s family, told news agency PTI that black magic might be a factor. The father of Devi, a wildlife photographer, reportedly expressed the same view.
“They were well-educated, so it’s a serious issue if they were involved in black magic,” Krishnamoorthy said. “Public awareness campaigns are needed.”
