National shooting athlete’s death: Police to examine phone, preliminary findings suggest suicide

Pantheerankavu: Police will conduct a forensic examination of the mobile phone in connection with the death of national shooting athlete Karthik Manal of Edakkattupuram Parambil in Pantheerankavu, who died from a gunshot wound. Investigators are preparing to examine call records and messages on Karthik’s phone, hoping it will help determine the reason behind the death.

Police suspect that Karthik died by suicide. More clarity is expected once the forensic examination report is received. The bullet recovered from Karthik’s head was identified as one used in a Peep Sight .22 rifle found near the body. Pantheerankavu police said CCTV footage showed no one else entering the house, and only visuals of Karthik arriving were recorded.

Karthik possessed a licensed rifle used for national championships. He was found around 7:15 pm on the first floor of the house, lying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to the head. The family came to know about the incident after his father, mother, and brother returned home from work. He was rushed to the Medical College Hospital but could not be saved.

The funeral rites were held on Wednesday around 3 pm at the Manari crematorium.

Kerala State Rifle Club Association Joint Secretary Ranji Sebastian, Kozhikode Rifle Club Association Secretary Abhijith Shabareesh, Vice President Jose Joseph, athletes who had participated with Karthik in national shooting competitions, classmates and teachers from AWH Engineering College, and public representatives visited the house to pay their last respects. The investigation is being led by Pantheerankavu Police Sub-Inspector Jackson Joy.