Kannur (Kerala) | A mystery surrounding remains found in a grave at a church cemetery in Kannur district was resolved on Wednesday after an examination confirmed they belonged to two persons buried there earlier.
Police said inspection of the grave at the Unnimishiha Church cemetery in a village near Iritty found the remains of Mariyam Moyyappallil, buried in 2006, and James Kumbukkal, buried in 2015, with no evidence of a third body.
The examination revealed that a mat, which had triggered suspicion, was part of the materials placed inside the coffin during Mariyam's burial.
Skeletal remains, remnants of a traditional Christian burial garment, and two rosaries were recovered and identified by relatives.
After removing soil from the lower portion of the grave, the forensic team found no trace of another body, leading police and church authorities to conclude there was no foul play.
However, samples of the remains — including skulls, teeth, and portions of thigh bones — have been collected for DNA and other forensic tests to scientifically establish their identity.
The examination was conducted in the presence of relatives of the deceased, forensic experts, senior police officers, church authorities, and revenue officials.
The issue came to light on June 13 when the grave was opened for a fresh burial, and workers found what appeared to be remains wrapped in a mat—raising suspicion, as such a practice is not part of Christian burial customs.
Confusion over cemetery records and the renumbering of graves during a 2019 reorganisation had further fuelled concerns.
Police had earlier found no indication of foul play during a preliminary inquiry, but church authorities decided to open the grave following concerns raised by parish members and demands for an investigation from the family of a missing man whose disappearance had been speculatively linked to the discovery.
The exhumation was carried out after obtaining permission from the Thalassery RDO. A large police contingent was deployed at the cemetery during the proceedings.