A family of eight persons, including two girl children, allegedly consumed poison on Sunday, resulting in the death of six persons. Two others are in Government Rajaji Hospital in a critical condition.
According to the police, Velmurugan and his brother Kurinji Kumaran were running an elementary school in Kurinji Street in Yagappa Nagar. They were also engaged in other businesses in the city.
When the police broke open the house, they found the eight persons lying. The deceased were identified as Velmurugan, Kurinji Kumaran, Jeyajothi (their mother), Jeya Tharani (daughter of Kurinji Kumaran), Jeya Sakti (daughter of Velmurugan) and Devi (his wife).
Those in critical condition were identified as Thangaselvi (wife of Kurinji Kumaran) and Jeya Monica (his daughter).
A senior police officer said they had found a suicide note addressed to the Madurai Collector. The contents of the note, however, were not known.
Unconfirmed sources said that the family members had been in serious financial trouble.
Persons in need of counselling can contact the State Health Department’s round-the-clock helpline 104. Chennai-based Sneha’s suicide prevention centre can be contacted at 044-24640050.