19-year-old drummer found dead in Bhilai hotel room, suicide or murder suspected

A 19-year-old drummer was discovered deceased in a Bhilai hotel room on Wednesday

RAIPUR: A hotel stay by a young couple ended in tragedy after a 19-year-old drummer was found dead in a room in Bhilai town of Chhattisgarh’s Durg district on Wednesday. Police said preliminary evidence points to suicide following an alcohol-fuelled argument with his 23-year-old girlfriend, while the victim’s family alleged he was murdered and demanded a thorough probe. The deceased, who earned a living playing drums at private events, had been in a relationship with the woman for the past six months. The couple had checked into hotels together on previous occasions as well, police said.

According to police, the woman regained consciousness the following morning and found the youth hanging from the ceiling fan. She brought him down and informed his friends, following which he was taken to a private hospital where doctors declared him dead. The family of the deceased has rejected the suicide theory and accused the woman of murdering him. His brother claimed the youth had multiple injury marks on his body and could not have taken his own life. The family further alleged that the woman had assaulted in the past. They also questioned why she remained in the hotel room for several hours after his alleged death. Police said these claims are being verified as part of the investigation.

Speaking to TOI, Durg superintendent of police Vijay Agrawal said the couple had consumed alcohol in the hotel room on Tuesday night when an incoming phone call on the victim’s mobile allegedly triggered an argument. “The woman became emotionally distressed and allegedly inflicted blade injuries on her hand. She was intoxicated and later lost consciousness. Prima facie, the youth appears to have died by suicide by hanging during that period. However, if the investigation or forensic evidence points towards homicide, appropriate legal action will be taken against the woman,” the SP said. Police said the preliminary postmortem findings are consistent with death by hanging. An inquest has been registered and the final opinion will depend on the detailed postmortem and forensic reports. Investigators said all aspects of the case remain under examination.