A 65-year-old man from Vedapatti in Coimbatore ended his life after bludgeoning his 60-year-old wife to death with an empty LPG cylinder at their residence on Nanjappa Gounder Street near Vedapatti in the early hours of Monday.

According to Vadavalli police, the woman was his second wife. While the man sold betel leaf and dry fish to earn a living, he had tasked his wife with taking care of his mentally challenged brother at home. The man used to quarrel with his wife, accusing her of not taking care of his brother.

The police said the man had a quarrel with his wife on Sunday night, allegedly after she did not give food to his brother. He hit her on the head with the cylinder around 2.30 a.m. when she was asleep. The woman died on the spot.

Though the man later tried to kill himself by dropping a heavy stone on his head, it fell on his left leg, leaving an injury. He later hanged himself inside the house.

The police were informed about the deaths by neighbours later in the morning. The bodies were shifted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital where they were autopsied.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by dialling 'Sneha' 24X7 helpline at 044-24640050.