NewsFlash Daily™
09 April 
Mentally ill woman fails to realise husband’s death, neighbors alert police after foul smell; children remain away amid shocking neglect
Chikkamagaluru: In a deeply disturbing and emotional incident from Chikkamagaluru district, a woman reportedly spent nearly 10 days living beside her deceased husband’s decomposed body, unaware of his death due to her mental health condition.
The incident came to light in Kottigehara of Mudigere taluk, where 77-year-old Cyril Monis had died while bedridden due to illness. However, his wife, who is said to be mentally unstable, did not realise that he had passed away and continued to stay beside his body for days.
Neighbours Alert Police After Foul Smell
The shocking situation was discovered only after neighbours noticed a strong foul smell emanating from the house and alerted the police. Upon arrival, officials found the woman refusing to let anyone touch the body.
“I want my husband, don’t touch him,” she reportedly insisted, not understanding that he had died.
Children Away, Tragedy Deepens
The couple’s son works in Bengaluru, while their daughter is a teacher in Dubai. Despite regular phone calls from the son, the mother reportedly kept saying that his father was doing fine.
By the time the son reached home after 10 days, he could not even see his father’s face due to the condition of his body. The daughter, too, did not arrive even after the death, adding to the emotional gravity of the incident.
Body Decomposed, Locals Hesitant
As the body had severely decomposed, locals hesitated to handle it. In a humane gesture, social worker Arif stepped in to assist authorities in shifting the body for postmortem and arranging the final rites.
Last Rites Performed with the Help of Volunteers
The funeral was conducted at the Banakal Christian cemetery later in the evening with the help of social workers and police officials.
Authorities have taken note of the incident, which occurred under the jurisdiction of Banakal Police Station, and further details are being reviewed.
