Murder-suicide? Mumbai's Goregaon man, wife found dead

MUMBAI: A couple in their mid-fifties was found dead at a Goregaon housing society on Friday. Kishore Pednekar (56) was found lying near some potted plants in the compound of Topiwala Cooperative Housing Society while his wife, Rajshree Pednekar (54), was found dead in their third-floor flat. Police have established Kishore jumped off the building and suspect Rajshree was strangled to death. Police found tree branches impacted by Kishore's fall.

Autopsy reports, which will state the exact cause of the deaths, are awaited. Investigations are ongoing to determine the sequence of events leading to the deaths.

Police said Kishore was engaged in sales for fitness products in the Vasai-Virar belt. He was suffering from a mental health condition and was on medication. Rajshree worked as a physiotherapist in Malad. Their son is based in Delhi and was informed of the twin tragedies by cops. He was on his way to Mumbai.

Around 5.30am on Friday, a night watchman working at a bank-located within the housing society premises- found Kishore lying on the ground and informed the police. A team from Goregaon police station rushed to the building and moved Kishore to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. They informed his relatives, who tried calling Rajshree on her cellphone, but there was no response. The police then found a key in a chain around Kishore's neck. It turned out to be the key to their third-floor flat.

The apartment was locked from the outside. On opening it, the police discovered Rajshree's body. There were strangulation marks on her neck and blood near the body. Investigations have revealed around 4am, Kishore had sent out texts to some relatives, detailing the couple's bank accounts and nominations.

The society does not have any night watchman. The day watchman told TOI that the couple was friendly. "Kishore had placed the potted plants (close to which his body was found on Friday). He used to park his car there earlier," the watchman said. Society residents said they were not aware of Kishore's illness, nor had they heard of any disagreements between the couple.

Goregaon police have, so far, recorded two accidental deaths. They will be making inquiries with the couple's son and neighbours. A forensic team visited the society on Friday to collect samples.