The body of a 50-year-old man was found in a forest patch in Goa a couple of days ago, while that of his wife and minor son were recovered off Devbag beach in neighbouring Karnataka, with police suspecting it may be a case of mass suicide.

An official said the man, identified as Shyam Patil, was a labour contractor and was reportedly reeling under debts he had taken from institutions as well as individuals. “Patil’s body was found hanging from a tree in a forest in Quepem taluka in south Goa on Thursday. The corpse of his wife Jyoti, 37, and 12-year-old son were spotted off Devbag beach in Karwar in Karnataka the same day,” he said.