By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Three siblings of a Malaysian Tamil family have died mysteriously when they were taking back the body of their mother in their car who had passed away earlier.
Devaki Amma Narayanan Nair, 70, died of a heart attack early Saturday and her children collected the body from a hospital.
Hours later Sunday, the children were also found dead in the car with burn marks on their bodies at an oil palm estate.
The deceased have been identified as Nair’s sons Sasaingan J. Pillai, 51, and Manoharan, 42 and daughter Asha, 35.
The three siblings are believed to have died in a black Honda Jazz by inhaling petrol fumes after their mother was pronounced dead at the Johor Specialist Hospital, The Star newspaper said Monday.
Johor Baru Chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Amer Awal said their partially burnt bodies were discovered four hours later.
“Police found four empty bottles of petrol in the car, as well as another half empty bottle of petrol, 1,197 renminbi in cash (around $550) and two packets of psychiatric medication,” Awal told the media.
He said the car was not locked, and the engine as well as the air conditioner was off. Some credit cards, a cellphone, a pair of scissors, a knife and a box of matches were also found.
The post-mortem results showed that the three siblings died of hydrocarbon intoxication.
“We have classified the case as sudden death, but have not yet ruled out foul play,” Awal said, adding that no suicide note had been found.
There were no signs of struggle or bloodstains but police found petrol spilt on the floor of the car.