Ullal: Kotekapura decomposed body case takes twist; post-mortem raises murder suspicion

Mangalore Today News Network

Ullal, Aug 20, 2026: The discovery of a decomposed body on the Kotekapura coast in Ullal has taken a major twist, with a post-mortem examination suggesting that the person may have been murdered before being thrown into the sea.

The examination reportedly found injuries to the skull and abdomen caused by sharp weapons, raising suspicion that the victim was assaulted and killed before the body was dumped into the sea. Following the findings, Ullal police have converted the unnatural death case into a suspected murder case.

The body was found in a highly decomposed condition on August 17 on the seashore behind the Kotekapura Mosque. Ullal police conducted an inspection and sent the body to Wenlock Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, police contacted Krishnappa, the brother of Narayana, a fisherman from Kundapura in Udupi district who had been reported missing from the Pandeshwar police station limits. Krishnappa identified the body as possibly that of his younger brother, and it was handed over to the family after the post-mortem.

Narayana, 31, a resident of Kirimanjeshwar in Udupi district, had gone fishing with fishermen from Mangaluru on August 3. On August 9, while returning, he reportedly fell into the sea after being hit by strong waves near the estuary where the Netravati River meets the sea. He was reported missing following the incident.

Krishnappa had filed a missing-person complaint at the Pandeshwar police station on August 10. When the body was recovered on August 17, he suspected it could be that of Narayana. However, police could not conclusively establish the identity as the body had no identifiable clothing or belongings. DNA testing is now being conducted to determine whether the deceased was Narayana or another person.

Doctors who conducted the post-mortem reportedly found that the skull had been fractured following blows from a sharp weapon and an object resembling a hammer. Multiple other injuries were also found. Sharp-force injuries were also detected on the chin and abdomen.

Based on the findings, police suspect that the person may have been assaulted and murdered before being thrown into the sea. Ullal police have accordingly converted the unnatural death case into a suspected murder case.

Ullal Police Sub-Inspector Revanasiddappa has registered a case under Sections 118(2) and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have also collected a sample from Krishnappa and initiated DNA testing to establish the identity of the deceased.