Heartbroken over pet’s death, woman ends life in Hyderabad

A 20-year-old degree student in Meerpet died by suicide, reportedly distressed after the death of her pet cat. Police registered a suspicious death case and are investigating the circumstances, with initial findings pointing to emotional distress

Hyderabad: Unable to cope with the loss of her pet cat, a woman degree student allegedly died by suicide here in Meerpet.

Hima Bindu (20), a first-year BSc student of a local private college and a resident of Venkatadri Colony under Badangpet Municipal Corporation limits, had a Persian pet cat which she had been raising for nearly two years.

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According to family members, the cat was a constant companion, and she is known to have treated it like a family member, spending most of her free time caring for it. However, the cat recently died, reportedly due to critical illness, leaving her depressed and devastated.

In the days following the pet’s death, Hima Bindu is said to have undergone a visible change in her behaviour and family members observed her as increasingly isolated, avoiding conversations and appearing upset.

According to the police, on March 18, Hima Bindu who was alone at home allegedly consumed unknown pesticide. When family members later found her in a critical condition, they immediately rushed her to a nearby private hospital, where the doctors declared her dead.

Based on a complaint by the family, Meerpet police registered a case of suspicious death and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials said they are examining whether any additional factors contributed to the extreme step, though initial findings suggest that the emotional distress caused by the pet’s death played a significant role.