7-year-old Devananda lives in Elavur in Kollam district. The child’s mother Dhanya was washing clothes outside the house. However, Devananda wanted to accompany her mother to the wash area. However, Dhanya had instructed the young girl to stay indoors and take care of her three-month-old baby brother who was asleep. Dhanya then went to wash clothes leaving the door unlocked.

After 15 minutes when Dhanya returned, she found Devananda missing. The concerned mother then alerted the neighbours who went around looking in the neighbourhood region before they filed a complaint at the Police station. The Police, after failed efforts to find the girl nearby, launched a 50-member special team on an intensive search to look out for the child.

Fire and rescue team, diving experts and dog squad had joined the team to find the girl but in vain. The Police also considered kidnapping and began searching inside trucks, goods vehicles, and lorries. All major roads, railway stations, and bus stands in the Kollam district were put under surveillance.

This morning, the girl’s body was recovered by the divers from the Ithikara river that flows near Devananda’s house. Devananda (Ponnu)’s body was found floating near the bushes by the search party. The Police’s primary assumption is that the girl must have slipped and fallen into the river ultimately drowning. The child’s father, who works in Dubai, reached this morning. Devananda’s body has been sent to the Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram for autopsy.

The girl’s picture had been trending on social media and celebrities have been sharing the reports and updates too. Condolences have been pouring in ever since the death news of the girl broke out.

Actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Kunchacko Boban, Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Dulquer Salmaan and Govind Padmasoorya condoled the death.