Three found dead in Gokarneshwar, suspected asphyxiation from smoke

Kathmandu, November 14 — Three people are feared dead from asphyxiation after lighting a fire inside their room in Gokarneshwar Municipality-3.

The victims, identified as 33-year-old Sita Dangol Nagarkoti, her 15-year-old daughter Anshu Nagarkoti, and a two-month-old infant, were discovered lifeless.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was likely set to warm the room, as the infant was only two months old. Authorities believe the family may have succumbed to smoke inhalation.

According to an official from the Valley Crime Investigation Office involved in the investigation, they discovered that the door was locked from the inside and there was a fire burning in the room. The official stated, "We believe that the fire was lit to warm the room due to the two-month-old child, and the family may have died from suffocation."

The victim's husband, Kanchha Nagarkoti, had not been at home since November 1 and became concerned when he could not contact his wife. Upon noticing that the door was locked from the inside and his wife was unreachable, he filed a missing persons report with the police.

The incident is believed to be at least two weeks old, according to the investigating officers. Forensic experts from the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital also examined the scene. The officers mentioned, "The bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition, and the doctors have confirmed that the bodies could have been there for at least two weeks."