Human skeleton found inside fridge in Kochi: Cops suspect remains were used for medical purpose

Police's preliminary assumption is that the skeleton was used for clinical studies by the house owner but a probe is on.

Thiruvananthapuram: A human skeleton was found in an abandoned house at Chottanikkara in the suburbs of Kochi and preliminary probe has suspected that it might have been used for medical purposes.

The skeleton was found in the refrigerator of the house that has not been lived in for 20 years. Police's preliminary assumption is that the skeleton was used for clinical studies by the house owner, who is a doctor, and his three doctor children who were residing in the house.

The house owner, Dr Philip John, aged 74, is now residing in Kochi and his three children, all doctors, are working aboard. The police got in touch with the doctor to verify the facts. The doctor was learnt to have disowned the skeleton.

Police sources said that the skeleton was found in pieces and attached using strings. Prime facie it did not seem like the remains of a decayed body. Hence it was suspected to be one used for clinical studies.

Deputy SP V T Shajan said that the skeleton was sent for forensic test for further verifications. A case has been registered. It also needs to be verified whether skeletons could be kept in house for clinical studies, Shajan said.

The incident came to light on Monday following a police search in the house in view of complaints by local residents that anti-social elements were misusing the property.