Thrissur: Prem Kumar, a 48-year-old native of Thrissur accused of killing his second wife and her mother, was found dead on Thursday at a rest centre in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. The discovery ends a manhunt launched after the gruesome double murder last week.

Kedarnath locals alerted officials early Thursday when they discovered a lifeless body. Police recovered an Aadhaar card from the scene, which identified the deceased as Prem Kumar. Authorities then contacted his family in Thrissur, who relayed the news to local police. Kerala Police officials stationed in Delhi, already searching for him, were immediately directed to Kedarnath.

Preliminary assessments by Uttarakhand police suggest Kumar may have died of a cardiac arrest. However, the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed pending further investigation.

Prem Kumar was out on bail for the 2019 murder of his first wife, Vidya. After his release, he entered a relationship with Rekha, also from Thrissur, and later married her. Last week, Rekha and her 74-year-old mother were found dead in their rented residence. Their bodies were discovered in a decomposed state, and Kumar had since gone missing.

A handwritten note, allegedly penned by Prem Kumar and containing threats, was recovered from the scene, though its full contents remain undisclosed.

Just days before the murders, Rekha had filed a domestic violence complaint against Kumar, and a police counselling session for the couple had been scheduled.