Mystery Deepens as Third Set of Human Remains Found in Kannur Church Cemetery

Kannur, June 23, 2026: A startling discovery at a church cemetery in Kerala's Kannur district has sparked a police investigation after what is believed to be a third set of human remains was found inside a grave, raising concerns over burial records and cemetery management.

The incident was reported at the cemetery of the Infant Jesus Church in Vaniyappara near Iritty when church authorities reopened Grave No. 38 to carry out a fresh burial. During the process, they reportedly found multiple sets of remains inside the vault, including one wrapped in a mat—an unusual finding that has intensified the mystery surrounding the site.

According to church officials, the grave had previously been used for burials in 2006 and 2015. However, upon reopening the vault, three separate sets of remains were allegedly discovered. While one set corresponded to a documented burial, another was found wrapped in a mat rather than placed in a coffin, prompting suspicions that an unidentified individual may have been buried there without official records.

Parish priest Fr. Gilbert Konnayil said the church immediately alerted the police after the unexpected discovery. He noted that the mat-wrapped remains could belong to a person who had undergone a post-mortem examination, though authorities have not yet verified the identity through scientific analysis.

The Karikkottakari police have launched a preliminary inquiry and are examining cemetery registers, burial records and information provided by relatives of those interred at the cemetery. Investigators are also exploring whether changes made during a cemetery renovation in 2019 may have led to confusion over grave numbering or burial locations.

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Police officials said forensic examination would be crucial in determining the identity of the remains and establishing how they came to be buried in the grave. Church authorities have meanwhile begun contacting families of the deceased to verify burial details and assist investigators.

The discovery has triggered widespread discussion in the local community and on social media, with residents calling for a comprehensive probe to unravel the mystery and ensure accountability in the management of the cemetery.

Photo Courtesy : Screengrab Mathrubhumi News