UP sisters die by suicide after depression over pet's illness, dog dies days later
Deeply emotionally attached to their dog, two sisters allegedly consumed phenyl. However, before death, their last wish to their mother was for their pet German Shepherd dog.
A tragic chain of events in Uttar Pradesh has raised troubling questions about mental health and isolation after two young sisters in Lucknow died by suicide, allegedly overwhelmed by emotional distress linked to the prolonged illness of their pet dog, which also died shortly after.
Police said the sisters consumed phenyl after slipping into severe depression.
The deceased have been identified as Radha Singh, 24, and Jia Singh, 22, both graduates and daughters of 65-year-old Kailash Singh. Family members said the sisters had been battling depression for a long time and had withdrawn almost completely from social life.
On Wednesday, after returning home from a nearby shop, the sisters began groaning in pain. When their mother, Gulaba Devi, asked what had happened, they revealed that they had consumed phenyl. She immediately called her elder son, Veer Singh, for help.
With the assistance of neighbours, the sisters were rushed to Rani Laxmi Bai Hospital. Radha died on the way, while Jia succumbed during treatment.
The elderly mother sat crying at the doorstep, recalling that before losing consciousness, the sisters made only one request, "After we die, don't chase the dog away; keep him in the house and continue giving him his medication."
PET DOG’S ILLNESS DEEPENED EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
According to the family, the sisters were deeply attached to their German Shepherd, Tony, who had been suffering from a serious stomach ailment for nearly a month. Despite medical treatment, his condition failed to improve, leaving the sisters convinced that he would not survive.
Relatives said the worsening health of the dog sharply aggravated their mental state, particularly that of the younger sister, Jia, whose psychological condition was already fragile. The constant fear of losing Tony kept both sisters under extreme stress.
On Saturday morning, days after the sisters’ deaths, Tony also died. The family has since made arrangements for the dog’s last rites and rituals.
A LIFE OF ISOLATION AND DEPENDENCE
Family members and neighbours described the sisters as reclusive and emotionally dependent on each other and their pet. They had reportedly distanced themselves from weddings, parties and other social gatherings and had not gone out socially for nearly six years.
They had minimal engagement with mobile phones or social media and spent most of their time at home with the dog. The mother said the sisters often became upset at the idea of being photographed. They cooked separately from the rest of the family and always ensured food was set aside for Tony before eating themselves.
Neighbours also recalled instances where the sisters spoke about fears related to spirits or unseen forces, adding to concerns about their mental wellbeing.
The family is also facing severe financial hardship. Their father, Kailash Singh, who worked in cotton processing, has been bedridden for the past six months due to a serious illness. The family had earlier lost a younger son to a brain haemorrhage around seven years ago. The elder brother, Veer Singh, works in property dealing.
Residents said the family had already been burdened by multiple crises, and the worsening condition of the pet dog pushed the sisters into deep depression.
EFFORTS TO SEEK HELP FAILED
The family said attempts were made to seek treatment and spiritual remedies, including visits to Balaji, but there was no significant improvement in their condition. Relatives believed the sisters were under some form of psychological shadow, though no formal medical diagnosis was confirmed.
Police said all necessary legal formalities have been completed and no foul play is suspected at this stage.
A tragic chain of events in Uttar Pradesh has raised troubling questions about mental health and isolation after two young sisters in Lucknow died by suicide, allegedly overwhelmed by emotional distress linked to the prolonged illness of their pet dog, which also died shortly after.
Police said the sisters consumed phenyl after slipping into severe depression.
The deceased have been identified as Radha Singh, 24, and Jia Singh, 22, both graduates and daughters of 65-year-old Kailash Singh. Family members said the sisters had been battling depression for a long time and had withdrawn almost completely from social life.
On Wednesday, after returning home from a nearby shop, the sisters began groaning in pain. When their mother, Gulaba Devi, asked what had happened, they revealed that they had consumed phenyl. She immediately called her elder son, Veer Singh, for help.
With the assistance of neighbours, the sisters were rushed to Rani Laxmi Bai Hospital. Radha died on the way, while Jia succumbed during treatment.
The elderly mother sat crying at the doorstep, recalling that before losing consciousness, the sisters made only one request, "After we die, don't chase the dog away; keep him in the house and continue giving him his medication."
PET DOG’S ILLNESS DEEPENED EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
According to the family, the sisters were deeply attached to their German Shepherd, Tony, who had been suffering from a serious stomach ailment for nearly a month. Despite medical treatment, his condition failed to improve, leaving the sisters convinced that he would not survive.
Relatives said the worsening health of the dog sharply aggravated their mental state, particularly that of the younger sister, Jia, whose psychological condition was already fragile. The constant fear of losing Tony kept both sisters under extreme stress.
On Saturday morning, days after the sisters’ deaths, Tony also died. The family has since made arrangements for the dog’s last rites and rituals.
A LIFE OF ISOLATION AND DEPENDENCE
Family members and neighbours described the sisters as reclusive and emotionally dependent on each other and their pet. They had reportedly distanced themselves from weddings, parties and other social gatherings and had not gone out socially for nearly six years.
They had minimal engagement with mobile phones or social media and spent most of their time at home with the dog. The mother said the sisters often became upset at the idea of being photographed. They cooked separately from the rest of the family and always ensured food was set aside for Tony before eating themselves.
Neighbours also recalled instances where the sisters spoke about fears related to spirits or unseen forces, adding to concerns about their mental wellbeing.
The family is also facing severe financial hardship. Their father, Kailash Singh, who worked in cotton processing, has been bedridden for the past six months due to a serious illness. The family had earlier lost a younger son to a brain haemorrhage around seven years ago. The elder brother, Veer Singh, works in property dealing.
Residents said the family had already been burdened by multiple crises, and the worsening condition of the pet dog pushed the sisters into deep depression.
EFFORTS TO SEEK HELP FAILED
The family said attempts were made to seek treatment and spiritual remedies, including visits to Balaji, but there was no significant improvement in their condition. Relatives believed the sisters were under some form of psychological shadow, though no formal medical diagnosis was confirmed.
Police said all necessary legal formalities have been completed and no foul play is suspected at this stage.