Dejected over being HIV-positive, a woman ended her life after forcing her two children to drink cool drinks laced with pesticide, on Thursday night at Tadakaluru village in Sira taluk.
Neelamma, 48, her children, Gagana, 14 and Naveen, 10, were found dead under a tree in the fields near Tadakaluru Gate.
According to police, Neelamma was married to Rajanna, a driver from Andhra Pradesh, who passed away eight years ago. Following his death, Neelamma moved to Bangalore and worked in a garment factory.
Neelamma discovered that she was HIV-positive after she and her daughter fell sick several months ago. They discovered they had the disease after undergoing a blood test.
Neelamma returned to her native village, but was gripped by the suspicion that her neighbours were discriminating against her family. This fear drove her to kill herself and her children, police said.
A case has been registered with the Pattanayakanahalli police station.
Published 19 April 2013, 19:26 IST