Kochi: The tragic suicide of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Chottanikkara has raised alarms among educators about the dangers of online “Korean romance” traps, where teenagers may be emotionally manipulated through fake social media accounts.

Adithya, a first-year student at Chottanikkara Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, was found dead in an abandoned, water-filled granite quarry near her home, 10 days ago. Authorities are investigating a possible link between her death and an Instagram connection with a Korean friend who reportedly died in mid-January.

Educators raise concerns

Teachers have warned that other children could be vulnerable to similar online traps. These schemes allegedly involve fake profiles using foreign celebrity images to emotionally manipulate teenagers.

The Instagram account in question reportedly had only 12 followers, casting doubt on claims that it belonged to a popular Korean personality. Educators fear that the emotional toll of such connections may put more adolescents at risk.

Suicide note suggests emotional distress

A suicide note recovered from Adithya’s school bag suggests she was devastated by the death of the Korean friend she had contacted through Instagram on January 1. According to the note, she was informed of his death around January 19, which caused severe mental distress.

The note, nearly two-and-a-half pages long, was written in both English and Korean. In it, Adithya expressed anguish over leaving behind her loving parents but said she could not cope with the pain caused by her friend’s reported death.

Investigation faces delays

Police have not yet accessed or examined Adithya’s mobile phone, even a week after the incident, prompting concern from both educators and the public. Notes written in Korean were also found in one of her books and are currently being translated.

Investigators say the case is complicated by delays in examining digital evidence and doubts over the authenticity of the Instagram account linked to the incident.

Adithya was pursuing a Lab Technician course at the Chottanikkara Government Vocational Higher Secondary School. Police confirmed that cyber and forensic investigations are now being prioritised as the inquiry continues.