17-year-old’s death in Kochi sparks concern over gaming behaviour

Kochi: A 17-year-old boy from Njarackal in Ernakulam district was found dead on Friday at Elamkunnapuzha Beach after being reported missing on 19 February.

The boy had reportedly told his family that he was going to a local turf ground to play football but did not return home. When he failed to come back by evening, relatives alerted authorities, and search operations were launched.

The body was recovered from the coastal area, and a mobile phone found near the body is being analysed by Munambam Police. Investigators are looking into all possible factors surrounding the incident. Preliminary enquiries have raised questions about potential online activity, as the teenager was known to be an avid gamer. However, police have not established any link between gaming and the death yet. Officials are checking call logs, messages, and online behaviour as part of the probe.

Authorities are continuing forensic and digital evidence examinations before drawing any conclusions. No official confirmation regarding the cause of death has been released.