In rented Odisha home, woman’s body under kitchen sink, her son on the run

In Odisha’s Puri town, the decomposed remains of a woman were discovered beneath the kitchen floor of a rented dwelling on Monday night, according to local police. Authorities suspect the deceased was murdered by her son, who has since gone into hiding. Police received a report from the building's landlord, who lives elsewhere in the complex, about a putrid odor emanating from the vacant residence. The landlord had not seen or heard from the woman or her son for three to four days.

Upon arriving at the property, officers broke down the door and unearthed fresh cement work in the kitchen after several hours of investigation. The body of a woman was eventually retrieved from a box-like structure located under the kitchen slab. Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh stated that the landlord reported that both the woman and her son were renting the home. Police consider the son a prime suspect due to his absence from the premises and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body.

The alleged perpetrator, in his 40s, is currently being pursued by special investigation teams. Based on circumstantial evidence, officials believe the murder occurred prior to August 21. A post-mortem examination will provide further insight into the cause of death. Police suspect the killer attempted to deceive investigators by concealing the body and sealing it beneath the kitchen floor.

The mother and son allegedly supported themselves by selling goods in the vicinity of the Puri Jagannath temple. The son reportedly cared for his mother and showed no signs of wrongdoing.