Malappuram (Keralam) | A 37-year-old woman was found dead in a suspected murder case at Pothukal here and a man who lived with her was taken into custody, police said on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Nisha, a native of Appankapp Nagar in Pothukal.

According to police, the body was found by locals among plantain trees on the banks of the Neerpuzha river near Parakkadavu, Ettuppara, in Pothukal around 11.30 pm on Wednesday.

Residents checked the area after a foul smell spread in the locality, police said.

The body was wrapped in plantain leaves and powders had been sprinkled over it, apparently to prevent the smell from emanating, police said.

Nisha had not been seen since August 23 night, they said.

Police have taken Suresh (39), who was living with Nisha, into custody.

Suresh was accused of murdering another woman in 2022.

After being released on bail, he and Nisha lived together, police added.

Suresh is currently being interrogated at the Pothukal police station.

Pothukal police have registered a case of unnatural death and further charges will be added after ascertaining the cause of death, officials said.

The body will be handed over to the relatives after postmortem at the Malappuram Medical College in Manjeri, police added.