Chottanikkara girl’s death: police yet to confirm Korean friend link

Chottanikkara police, who are investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl, are yet to confirm the contents of the note in which she allegedly expressed sadness over the death of a Korean friend as the reason for her suicide.

The girl was found dead in a pond formed in an abandoned quarry in Kakkad on Tuesday morning. According to a note found in her school bag, she took the extreme step because she could not bear the pain of the death of a Korean man she met on social media. The note said the man died in an accident on January 19.

According to police sources, autopsy confirmed the cause of death as drowning.

Police sought technical assistance to unlock the girl’s mobile phone to find out details of her online communications.

“We are yet to confirm whether what the girl said in the note is true or not. We need to confirm whether it is a fictitious story or not. We are also investigating whether the girl was deceived by someone who created a fake identity on social media,” said a police officer.

The police will record the statements of the girl’s friends. Police reportedly learned from the girl’s relatives that she was interested in K-pop. Chottanikkara police registered the case as an unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

(Those in distress or suicidal tendencies can seek help and counseling by calling any of the following numbers: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056, State health helpline 104, Maithri – 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Center – 0495-2760000.)