Decomposed Bodies of Mother and Daughter Discovered in Latched Quepem Residence
In a tragic incident in South Goa, the bodies of a 77-year-old woman and her 42-year-old daughter were recovered from their residence at Kusman in Quepem on Saturday. The discovery was made after neighbors alerted the police to a persistent foul smell emanating from the house, raising immediate concerns about the well-being of the occupants.
Identification and Police Entry
The two women have been identified as Alka Shirvoikar and her unmarried daughter, Anar Shirvoikar. Quepem police inspector Prashal Dessai provided critical details about the scene, noting that both bodies were found in a significantly decomposed state. This condition strongly indicates that the deaths occurred several days before they were discovered by authorities.
Inspector Dessai explained the challenging entry process, stating, "As the front and rear doors were securely latched from the inside, we had no choice but to break open the main door to gain access to the premises." This detail suggests the house was locked from within, adding a layer of mystery to the initial investigation.
Circumstances and Initial Findings
The elderly mother, Alka Shirvoikar, was found lying on a cot within the home. Inspector Dessai provided preliminary insights into the possible cause of death, noting, "The mother appears to have died of natural causes, as our examination revealed no external injuries on her body. However, we are awaiting the official post-mortem report to provide more definitive clarity on the exact cause of death."
Neighbors reported that they last saw the mother and daughter at the Quepem market approximately four days prior to the discovery. This timeline suggests the deaths may have occurred at least three days before the bodies were found, aligning with the advanced state of decomposition observed by police.
Police Investigation and Ruling
Following a thorough preliminary investigation, the Quepem police have ruled out any foul play in this distressing matter. The absence of forced entry, combined with the latched doors and lack of external injuries, points toward a non-suspicious scenario. Authorities are continuing their inquiries to piece together the final moments of the two women, with the post-mortem results expected to offer further insights.
The local community has been left in shock by this incident, highlighting the importance of regular welfare checks on elderly residents living alone or with limited social contact. Police are urging neighbors to remain vigilant and report any unusual signs promptly to prevent such tragic discoveries in the future.
