Idukki, Kerala: A chilling tale of family discord and concealed crime has gripped the quiet village of Pachady in Kerala’s Idukki district. Police have taken Saji, the younger son of Marykutty Mathew, into custody following the gruesome discovery of two decomposed bodies buried within the family’s residential compound. The remains, believed to be those of 70-year-old Marykutty and her elder son, 48-year-old Reji, were unearthed on Monday after the pair had been missing for nearly 25 days.

The chilling discovery and drone capture

The breakthrough came after Marykutty’s daughter, Sini, filed a missing persons report on Sunday. Suspicion had been mounting for days as neighbours and relatives grew concerned when the mother and son, last seen alive on April 9, remained unaccounted for. Saji reportedly provided conflicting accounts, claiming his mother was at a medical college or staying with his sister. However, the claims unravelled when the sister contacted auto-rickshaw drivers who usually transported the elderly woman to hospital, confirming the statements were false.

When police arrived at the house on Monday morning to search the premises, Saji allegedly attempted to flee with a bag. He was later tracked using drone surveillance and found hiding in nearby hills. At the time of arrest, investigators noted a fracture in his hand. While he claimed it resulted from a fall in a toilet, police are examining whether it was sustained during the alleged crime. Within the compound, a recently dug pit led to the recovery of mutilated remains.

Allegations of addiction and betrayal

The allegations against Saji suggest a household marked by tensions and substance abuse. Sini described Saji’s heart as being “made of stone” and alleged addiction to drugs and alcohol. Relatives claim he frequently engaged in violent arguments with his brother, Reji. Sini further alleged that Saji had once assaulted their mother when she intervened in a dispute between the brothers and had threatened to kill Sini if she entered the house.

Locals have also alleged disturbing post-crime behaviour, claiming Saji remained in the house for nearly three weeks after the killings, cooking and eating meat while the bodies were allegedly buried outside. He is also accused of selling household items, pepper and coffee beans to fund his addiction, and of cheating an individual by falsely claiming he was getting married to obtain money.

Unanswered questions and a father’s disappearance

While the Saji’s detention marks a key development, police say the motive and exact sequence of events remain unclear. Police are also probing whether others were involved. A police officer at Nedumkandam station said: “A detailed interrogation is underway, and further proceedings will be initiated thereafter,” adding that a formal confession has not yet been confirmed.

Police are also revisiting the 2018 disappearance of Saji’s father, who went missing after repeated alcohol-related disputes with him. The family has sought clarity on whether Saji had any role in that case. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and DNA analysis to confirm identity and cause of death. The village of Pachady remains unsettled as the investigation continues.