Family keeps woman’s body at home for four days, believing prayers would revive her

A family kept the body of a 50-year-old woman at their rented apartment for four days, believing that continued prayers would bring her back to life.

The deceased, identified as Shailaja, had been undergoing treatment for a chronic illness and passed away on February 13. Her body was brought to their flat at Sri Sai Bharadwaj Apartments instead of being taken for funeral rites.

Police said the family, comprising an 80-year-old woman and her three children, including Shailaja, had been living in the house for the past 18 years. After her death, the family allegedly preserved the body in a freezer and continued to offer prayers, expressing faith that she would come back to life. Officials said the family members were allegedly mentally distressed.

As days passed, foul smell began emanating from the apartment and concerned neighbours alerted the police. Officers reached the spot and counselled the family about legal and public health concerns. The family then shifted the body to their native place in Andhra Pradesh for the final rites.

Police clarified that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and no criminal case has been registered.