NAGPUR: A couple from Martin Nagar, Nagpur, ended their lives early Tuesday, mere hours after celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary with friends and family. The tragic incident has plunged the neighbourhood into shock and sorrow.
The bodies of 57-year-old Jeril Damson Oscar Moncriff and his wife, 46-year-old Anne, were discovered in their home. Jeril was discovered hanging in the kitchen, while Anne was found lifeless on a bed in the drawing room as she was dressed in her bridal gown from 26 years ago. Her body was carefully wrapped in white cloth with flowers placed over it.
According to the police, it is suspected that Jeril allowed Anne to end her life first. After dismantling her body from the rope, he covered her with cloth, placed flowers on her, and then took his own life by hanging himself with a scarf.
Before taking the tragic step, the couple had updated their social media status with a farewell message and shared two suicide notes, including an informal will on a stamp paper. The notes did not blame anyone responsible for their deaths but urged that elders to oversee the smooth distribution of their property.
In an emotional video message shared online, Anne appealed to family members to care for their relatives' children and extended her best wishes to them, and offered a heartfelt farewell.
"The poignancy of their actions is undeniable," said a police officer. "They celebrated their anniversary with cheer and cut their cake at midnight, les-ring no indication of their plans.'
On Tuesday evening, as per their last wishes, the couple was buried hand in hand in a common coffin at the Jaripatka Catholic Cemetery. Undertaker Vijay Alick Michael, who crafted the unique coffin, said, "I have been making coffins for five decades, but this was the first time I made a common coffin for a couple. Their relatives said it was their wish to be buried together, dressed in their wedding attire and hand in hand."
Jeril, who worked as a chef in several top hotels, had discontinued his career during the pandemic. The reason behind the couple's tragic decision remains unclear, as police continue their investigation.