The charred remains of a 40-year-old woman was found in Thiruvananthapuram’s Mannadi Lane on Tuesday morning, between Ambalamukku and Oolampara.

The deceased has been identified as Deepa Asok.

The body was found in a garbage dumpster near the house by residents, following which the Peroorkada police station was informed.

The victim’s son Akshay is being questioned by the police in connection with the crime. “Someone came to the station and informed the SI that a body was found in a charred condition,” said the Peroorkada police.

Police suspect that Deepa could have been murdered as her body was found in the garbage dumpster.

 “The spot from where the body was found makes us suspicious about the nature of the death. Have you ever heard of someone setting themselves ablaze by coming to a spot where people dispose waste? That is quite unusual as far as we know, and as per our experience. We haven’t ever seen someone attempting suicide by choosing such a spot. The chance of that happening is very less. We are investigating all aspects,” Peroordaka Sub Inspector Sreekumar VM told TNM.

The body appears to be a day old and the preliminary investigation of the police has revealed that Deepa died on Monday. The Peroorkada police was informed about the body at 11 amon Tuesday.

Police said that Deepa’s son Akshay is in his early 20s and has completed his Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech).

“We are collecting more details about the crime. It seems that no one was present at the house at the time of the death. We are also investigating if the mother and son were living alone at the house,” Sreekumar added.