Elderly couple found dead in Choolaimedu, COVID suspected

The deceased — Jeevan and Deepa, both aged above 80, of Central School Road at Gill Nagar in Choolaimedu — are said to be running an embroidery shop in Purasawalkam and did not have children, police said.

It is said that the couple’s neighbours alerted volunteers of the health department, who were collecting data of suspected cases at doorsteps, of Deepa’s ill health. However, Jeevan allegedly did not cooperate with the department staff and refused to send his wife to the hospital in an ambulance to give samples for the COVID tests.

Meanwhile, foul smell emanated from the house on Monday and Choolaimedu police, on information, broke open the door and entered the house in PPE gear only to find the couple dead. They removed the decomposed bodies of the couple and sent them to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital with all precautions.

Samples have been collected for COVID tests and based on the results their funeral will be decided. Also, police are trying to trace their relatives. Further investigation is on to ascertain whether they could have died of any other cause.