KOZHIKODE — 2019 · Serial Murder
The Koodathayi Cyanide Deaths
In Koodathayi village in Kerala's Kozhikode district, six members of the same extended family died suddenly at different times between 2002 and 2016. The deaths were initially attributed to natural causes or heart attacks. An investigation opened in 2019 after a family member's complaint; graves were exhumed and remains examined, strengthening suspicions of poisoning. In October 2019 a woman from the family and two others were arrested; police cited interests in property as a possible motive. The trial, slowed by the pandemic and many legal petitions, is ongoing and no final verdict has been delivered. A 2023 documentary brought the case international attention.
- Date
- 2019
- Place
- Kerala, India, Kozhikode, IN
- Category
- Serial Murder
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 11.4265, 75.9533 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 2002The first sudden death in the family occurred.
- 2016The sixth death occurred.
- 2019An investigation opened after a complaint; remains were examined.
- 5 October 2019Three people were arrested.
- 2025The trial was still under way.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Koodathayi cyanide killings en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Gulf News — Kerala cyanide murders: what we know gulfnews.com ↗
- Deccan Herald — Kerala cyanide killings charge sheet filed deccanherald.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- Gulf News
- Deccan Herald
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.