Victim of COVID stigma dies by suicide at home

The deceased was identified as Vijayakumari of Adambakkam, New Colony. The police said that her husband Kumaravel (52), who works in a private firm in Velachery, tested positive recently and was admitted to a private hospital in Kelambakkam. Following him, their son and daughter were also tested positive and home quarantined.

A two days ago, Vijayakumari talked to Kumaravel over the phone had said that the neighbours in the apartment are avoiding them and they are not even attending her phonecalls.

Kumaravel had asked her to manage for a couple of days and he will be discharged from the hospital.

On Tuesday evening, the municipal staff, who went for the regular visit to the house, knocked the door but there was no response. The couple’s son, who heard the continuous knock, came out of the room and found Vijayakumari hanging from the ceiling using a saree.

On information, the Adambakkam police visited the spot and retrieved the body before sending it for post-mortem examination to Chromepet government hospital.