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Decomposed body of British chef found in Bengaluru apartment, suicide suspected: Report

A 59-year-old British chef, Gavin James Young, was discovered dead in a Koramangala flat, with signs suggesting a possible suicide by overdose.

Updated on: Aug 5, 2024, 09:35:13 IST
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Bengaluru police on Saturday discovered the severely decomposed body of a 59-year-old British national in a Koramangala VII Block apartment. The deceased has been identified as Gavin James Young, a chef who had been residing in the US, The Times of India reported. He may have died by suicide after overdosing on medication. A suicide note was found at the scene, according to police officials.

The police are investigating the case and working with the UK embassy to contact his family. (HT File)
The police are investigating the case and working with the UK embassy to contact his family. (HT File)

Young, who had rented the apartment from Jagadish through Airbnb on July 1, had reportedly asked Jagadish not to contact him until August 1 due to work commitments involving night shifts. When residents of the building detected a foul odour emanating from the flat and informed Jagadish, he attempted to reach Young without success. After forcing entry into the apartment, Jagadish found Young's decomposed body and promptly notified the authorities, the report said.

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The police have secured Young's body in a mortuary and are working with the UK embassy to notify his family. They have also filed a case of suspicious death, the report noted.

At the scene, law enforcement discovered syringes and multiple strips of tablets. Young, who was diabetic and on insulin, also had medications for blood pressure and other health conditions. The presence of numerous pill strips, including some that were empty, suggests he may have taken an excessive amount of medication. The police believe the death likely occurred on August 1, although an autopsy will determine the exact time and cause of death, the publication added. There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle.

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Authorities also found Young's UK passport and are verifying his visa status. Preliminary information indicates that he might have arrived in India on a tourist visa in April.

(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290)

  • Yamini C S
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Yamini C S

    Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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