Senior citizen kills wife, self in Tirupur district

COIMBATORE: A 65-year-old man murdered his wife over a family dispute and died by suicide at Velappanaickenvalasu in Tirupur district on Wednesday.

The deceased have been identified as Velusamy and his wife Samiyathal, 58. Both hailed from Aranmanaikattupudur village in Karur district.

Police said the couple had a daughter, Abhinaya, 36, and a son, Vidhyasagar, 32. Abhinaya got married and settled in Madurai. Her family owned three acres of agricultural land at Velappanaickenvalasu near Vellakovil in Tirupur district, and her parents and younger brother were taking care of the agricultural land.

Velusamy and his family members moved to Velappanaickenvalasu a few years ago and stayed in a house belonging to Abhinaya. They were rearing goats and engaged in agriculture. Three months ago, Vidhyasagar got married.

Police said Velusamy had a habit of fighting with his wife often. He used to beat her up. A few days ago, he fought with his wife over an issue. After that, he went to his hometown in Karur district.

On Wednesday morning, he returned to Velappanaickenvalasu. He picked up a fight with Samiyathal, who was grazing goats, and assaulted her on the head with a sickle. He made his wife swallow insecticide poisonous pills used to keep insects away from coconut trees. The woman died on the spot. He also consumed the pills and died.

The couple’s son found his parents dead in the agricultural field.

The Vellakovil police sent the dead bodies for postmortem. Further investigations were on.