A Kerala nun, who was found dead in mysterious circumstances inside a convent well in Kollam on Sunday, was under chronic stress, her relatives have revealed.
The news about the death of Sr Susamma Mathew, attached to the Mount Tabor Convent, came as a shock to the local residents. The mystery deepened after blood stains and strands of cut hair were found in her room.
The rumours were put to rest after one of the nun's close relatives informed that Sr Susamma was under chronic stress because of various physical and psychological ailments. She had been under treatment at different hospitals in Kollam, Parumala and Thiruvalla since August 15, her sister told the police.
Sr Susamma availed treatment at the Government Medical College in Kollam when she visited the family on the occasion of her mother’s death anniversary a few weeks ago, the police were told.
Later, she went to a private hospital in Parumala and underwent treatment for five days. Though she was discharged from the hospital after her condition improved, she was under severe mental stress. She was supposed to visit the hospital on September 11, her relatives told the police.
Sr Susamma, who had been working as a teacher at the nearby St. Stephens School for several years, was to retire from service in December. She joined the Mount Tabor Convent after completing her schooling and pursued higher studies before taking up teaching.
According to Sr Jeysi and Sr Bensy, her colleagues and teachers of religious studies, Sr Susamma was suffering from various ailments for the past couple of years. “She was a calm and quiet person, but often she used to get upset over trivial matters,” they said.
A gentle, caring soul
Sr Susamma’s untimely death came as a shock to everyone whose lives she touched in different ways. The 54-year-old, who served the church for 25 years and taught science subjects at various schools run by the church, always came across as a very friendly person, her colleagues said.
She used to call her sister Lali every day and tell her about her illnesses and poor health.
Muhammed Abdul Rifayi, one of her former students, was aghast when he came to know about her death. “She was a strict disciplinarian but she always showered affection and love on all her students,” said Rifayi, who runs a business in Pathanapuram.
