Authorities in Kerala's Ernakulam district recovered the bodies of a missing family of four from different stretches of the Muvattupuzha river over two days, officials confirmed on June 29, 2026.
The deceased were identified as 45-year-old Narayanan, his visually impaired wife Viji, 43, and their two minor children.
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They had been missing since Thursday from a temporary shelter near Kothamangalam.
Local law enforcement had been providing food, essentials, and temporary shelter to the family for nearly one and a half weeks after they were displaced from their rented home, according to police reports.
The family disappeared on the day the Kothamangalam police had scheduled to relocate them into a newly identified rental accommodation, prompting an immediate search operation.
CCTV footage tracked by investigators showed the family walking together near a local restaurant and a church in the town of Piravom prior to their disappearance.
Police Efforts to Support the Family
Kothamangalam Station House Officer K R Prasanth Kumar explained that the family originally approached law enforcement six weeks ago after receiving orders to vacate their residence.
"We were trying to bring them back from their situation. At first, we identified a rehabilitation centre run by an NGO.
But it was exclusively for women," Kumar said.
"Then, the police arranged a place on daily rent. We promised them we would find a permanent house; until then, they were assured of every support.
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