The Mysterious Death of Balakrishna Pueri: Karnataka Hotel Owner's Unexplained Tragedy | True Crime Case #195"
In the tranquil village of AAC Karr, nestled within the Udupi District of Karnataka, India, a seemingly ordinary family faced an extraordinary tragedy. Balakrishna Pueri, a 44-year-old hotel owner, had built a modest life with his wife Pratima and their two children over their 17-year marriage. Their middle-income household expanded when Pratima established her own beauty parlor business at her husband's encouragement, creating a stable environment for their growing family.
The family's peaceful existence took a devastating turn in August 2024 when Balakrishna began experiencing persistent health issues including fever and vomiting. Despite consulting multiple hospitals across different cities, doctors struggled to diagnose his condition. After months of uncertainty, Balakrishna was finally discharged on October 19th, 2024, returning home to celebrate with relieved relatives. However, the family's momentary joy would be shattered just hours later when Pratima discovered her husband unresponsive in the early morning hours of October 20th, a shocking development that would forever change their lives.
Key Takeaways
A seemingly stable family in rural Karnataka faced an unexpected tragedy following months of unexplained illness.
Medical professionals across multiple hospitals were unable to diagnose Balakrishna's persistent health condition despite extensive efforts.
After being discharged and celebrating his return home, Balakrishna was found unresponsive in the early morning hours the very next day.
The Setting: Udupi District and AAC Karr Village
Located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, Udupi District is renowned for its deep religious significance and traditional values. The region features lush green landscapes contrasting with historic temples and vibrant cultural practices. Within this picturesque district lies AAC Karr, a peaceful rural village characterized by dense vegetation and narrow, winding roads.
AAC Karr represents typical rural Indian life where community connections remain strong and the pace of living stays unhurried. The village maintains a close-knit social fabric where residents know each other well, creating a sense of extended family across the community. These established relationships prove important when tragedy strikes.
The village's remote nature keeps it somewhat isolated from urban influences, preserving traditional lifestyles and values. Most residents fall into middle-income brackets, neither facing extreme poverty nor enjoying substantial wealth. This economic profile shapes opportunities and challenges for local families like Balakrishna Pueri's household, who maintained a modest yet comfortable lifestyle through entrepreneurial efforts.
Local infrastructure remains limited, with medical facilities concentrated in larger towns. Distance to proper healthcare becomes a critical factor during emergencies, with the nearest major hospital located in Mangaluru, approximately 35 miles away. This geographic isolation can complicate access to specialized medical care when needed.
The village's economy centers primarily around small businesses, agriculture, and traditional trades. Many residents supplement family income through multiple ventures, demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit common in the region. Despite economic challenges, the community maintains strong support networks that activate during times of need.
Profile: Balakrishna Pueri and Family
Balakrishna Pueri, 44, resided in the village of Aakar in Karnataka's Udupi District. Through dedication and hard work, he managed to establish his own hotel, providing for his family. In 2007, he married Pratima, and they later had two children together.
The Pueri household was a middle-income family where both Balakrishna's siblings held jobs. As their children grew older, educational expenses increased, prompting Pratima to contribute financially. With Balakrishna's encouragement, she completed a beauty parlor course and opened her own business near their home.
Like many couples, Balakrishna and Pratima experienced occasional disagreements. During these times, Pratima's brother Sandeep often mediated their conflicts. Sandeep and Balakrishna shared a remarkably close friendship that was admired by many in their community.
In August 2024, Balakrishna's health began to deteriorate with persistent vomiting and fever. Despite consultations at multiple hospitals across different cities, doctors struggled to diagnose his condition. After visits to medical facilities in Udupi, Mangaluru, and eventually Bengaluru (250 miles from their home), Balakrishna was finally discharged on October 19, 2024, appearing stable.
Family timeline:
2007: Marriage to Pratima
2007-2024: Birth and raising of two children
August 2024: Beginning of health issues
October 19, 2024: Discharged from hospital in Bengaluru
October 20, 2024: Early morning medical emergency
By 2024, the couple had established their own household separate from Balakrishna's parents, though they maintained close family connections with both extended families living nearby.
Pratima's Journey from Homemaker to Businesswoman
Pratima's life took a significant turn in 2007 when she married Balakrishna Pueri, a hardworking man who had established his own hotel in the village of Aakar in Udupi District. Their middle-income family lived comfortably alongside Balakrishna's parents and siblings. As their two children grew older, the family faced increasing financial pressures from education expenses.
Recognizing these growing financial demands, Pratima decided to contribute to the household income. She approached Balakrishna with her desire to work, and he suggested she start her own business rather than seek employment elsewhere. His specific recommendation was for her to pursue training in beauty services.
Following her husband's advice, Pratima enrolled in a beauty parlor course near their home. Upon completing her training several months later, Balakrishna supported her entrepreneurial journey by renting a shop in their neighborhood. He invested some of his savings to purchase the necessary cosmetic products for her new business.
Pratima transitioned successfully from being solely a homemaker to becoming a businesswoman. Through determination and hard work, she gradually built a loyal customer base in the surrounding areas. Her business became an important additional source of income for the family over the years.
Like many married couples, Pratima and Balakrishna occasionally experienced conflicts. Their disagreements typically resolved quickly, and when they didn't, Pratima's brother Sandep—who shared a close friendship with Balakrishna—would help mediate their disputes. The couple maintained their separate businesses while raising their children together for 17 years.
Family Dynamics and Sandep's Role
Pratima's brother Sandep played a crucial role in maintaining harmony within the family. He shared an exceptionally close bond with Balakrishna, a relationship that was often admired by relatives and neighbors alike. Their friendship was so strong that they consulted each other on matters ranging from daily concerns to significant life decisions.
Whenever disagreements arose between Balakrishna and Pratima during their 17-year marriage, Sandep stepped in as a mediator. Despite having occasional conflicts like any married couple, their disputes typically resolved within a day or two. For more persistent disagreements, Sandep would intervene, speaking with both parties to quickly restore peace.
Sandep demonstrated his deep concern for Balakrishna during the latter's extended illness. When Balakrishna finally returned home on October 19th after receiving treatment at multiple hospitals, Sandep was among the relatives who gathered to welcome him. While other family members departed at Pratima's request around 8:00 PM, Sandep initially stayed behind, expressing his desire to remain overnight in case anything was needed.
Despite his reluctance to leave, Pratima insisted that Sandep should go home, assuring him she would call if necessary. Eventually, he complied with his sister's wishes and left the residence. In the early hours of October 20th, when Pratima discovered Balakrishna unresponsive around 3:30 AM, Sandep was among the first people she called, highlighting his important position within their family structure.
Balakrishna's Health Crisis
In August 2024, Balakrishna Pueri, a 44-year-old hotel owner from Aacar village in Udupi District, began experiencing severe health problems. His symptoms included persistent vomiting and a fever that wouldn't subside. Initially, the family consulted a local doctor, believing it might be related to seasonal changes.
When his condition continued to worsen, they sought more specialized care. Doctors at the first hospital suspected jaundice and prescribed medications along with a dietary plan, but Balakrishna showed no improvement. Due to the difficulty in diagnosing his condition, he was referred to Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru, approximately 35 miles from Udupi.
Despite receiving treatment at several facilities—four to five different hospitals over two months—medical professionals struggled to identify the cause of his illness. Balakrishna's health fluctuated unpredictably, occasionally showing signs of improvement before relapsing into episodes of vomiting.
On October 19, 2024, there appeared to be a breakthrough. Doctors at a Bengaluru hospital (about 250 miles from Udupi) informed Balakrishna's family around 9:00 AM that his condition had stabilized enough for him to return home. This news brought immense relief after their two-month ordeal navigating the healthcare system.
The family made the 8-hour journey back to their village that same day. By evening, relatives and well-wishers—including Pratima's brother Sandep, who shared a close friendship with Balakrishna—gathered at their home to celebrate his return and apparent recovery.
Around 11:00 PM, Pratima requested all visitors to leave so Balakrishna could rest. Despite Sandep's insistence on staying overnight to assist if needed, Pratima convinced him to return home as well. By midnight, the household had settled down to sleep after the emotionally charged day.
Tragically, at approximately 3:30 AM on October 20th, Pratima discovered Balakrishna was unresponsive and not breathing. In a panic, she immediately called his parents and her brother Sandep to alert them to the emergency situation.
The Journey Toward Finding Answers
Balakrishna Pueri's health began to decline in August 2024. He experienced persistent vomiting and a fever that wouldn't subside. Initially, the family didn't consider it serious, attributing the symptoms to seasonal changes. They consulted a local doctor near their home in Aakar village.
His symptoms followed a troubling pattern. Balakrishna would temporarily improve before his condition worsened again. After this cycle continued for some time, the family decided to seek more specialized medical attention.
Upon visiting a hospital, doctors immediately admitted Balakrishna to the emergency ward. Following multiple tests, they initially suspected jaundice. Despite prescribed medications and a specialized diet plan, his condition showed no improvement.
The doctors were unable to determine the exact nature of his illness. Due to this uncertainty, they referred him to Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru, approximately 35 miles from Udupi. This facility was well-regarded in the region.
Even after days of treatment at Wenlock, the medical staff couldn't diagnose his condition. The doctors ultimately informed the family they couldn't determine what was wrong and recommended transferring him elsewhere.
The family then sought help at four to five different hospitals. Throughout this process, Balakrishna's health remained inconsistent. He would show temporary improvement only to relapse into episodes of repeated vomiting.
This medical odyssey, which began in August, continued into October. Finally, on October 19, 2024, doctors at a hospital in Bengaluru—about 250 miles from Udupi—informed Balakrishna's parents and wife that his condition had stabilized. They advised the family that he could return home.
Following this positive news, Balakrishna and his family embarked on an 8-hour journey back to Aakar village that same day. Their arrival home brought immense relief to both immediate and extended family members who had been worried throughout his medical struggles.
The Return Home and Tragic Turn of Events
After months of medical uncertainty, Balakrishna Pueri was finally discharged from a Bengaluru hospital on October 19, 2024, around 9:00 a.m. The doctors had declared his condition stable enough for him to return home. His family, exhausted from the ordeal that began in August, embarked on the 8-hour journey back to their village in the Udupi District.
News of Balakrishna's recovery spread quickly among relatives. By evening, around 8:00 p.m., both his and Pratima's family members had gathered at their home to welcome him back. The atmosphere was filled with relief after the stressful period of hospital transfers and inconclusive diagnoses.
Despite the joyful reunion, Pratima unexpectedly asked all visitors to leave around 11:00 p.m., insisting that Balakrishna needed rest. Most relatives complied without question, understanding his need for recovery. Only Sandep, Pratima's brother and Balakrishna's close friend, remained, offering to stay overnight in case anything was needed.
Pratima was persistent about having everyone leave, including her brother. Despite Sandep's reluctance, she assured him she would call if needed, eventually convincing him to go home. By midnight, the house was quiet with only Balakrishna, Pratima, and their children present.
The situation took a devastating turn around 3:30 a.m. on October 20th. Pratima, who had gotten up for water, noticed Balakrishna was not breathing. In a panic, she immediately called her in-laws, who lived separately from the couple and their children, crying that she couldn't wake him. She also called her brother Sandep with the alarming news about Balakrishna's condition.
The Night of October 19th, 2024
On the evening of October 19th, 2024, Balakrishna returned home after a prolonged hospital stay that had lasted since August. His discharge from a Bengaluru hospital marked what seemed to be the end of a difficult medical journey spanning multiple facilities across different cities.
Family members gathered at his home around 8:00 PM, relieved to see him back after his health struggles. Despite the initial celebration, Pratima suggested that relatives should leave and allow her husband to rest. By 11:00 PM, most visitors had departed.
Sandep, Pratima's brother, initially insisted on staying overnight to help if needed. Despite his concern for his brother-in-law, Pratima convinced him to go home as well, assuring him she would call if necessary.
The household settled down for the night around midnight. Tragically, at approximately 3:30 AM on October 20th, Pratima discovered Balakrishna was unresponsive when she woke to get water. Her immediate calls to family members revealed the devastating news that Balakrishna had stopped breathing.
Timeline of Events:
Time Event 9:00 AM, Oct 19 Doctors declared Balakrishna stable for discharge 8:00 PM, Oct 19 Family gathering at Balakrishna's home after his return 11:00 PM, Oct 19 Most relatives departed 12:00 AM, Oct 20 Household retired for the night 3:30 AM, Oct 20 Pratima discovered Balakrishna unresponsive
What had begun as a night of relief and celebration quickly turned to tragedy for the family, particularly shocking as Balakrishna had appeared to be recovering from his mysterious illness.
The Mysterious Death of Balakrishna
In the serene village of Aakar, nestled within Udupi District of Karnataka, lived 44-year-old Balakrishna Pueri. He had built a modest life for himself and his family, owning a small hotel through years of dedicated work. In 2007, Balakrishna married Pratima, and together they had two children, settling into a content middle-income lifestyle.
As their children grew, educational expenses mounted, prompting Pratima to seek employment. Balakrishna encouraged her to become self-employed instead, suggesting she take a beauty parlor course. After completing her training, Pratima opened her own beauty parlor in a shop Balakrishna rented near their home, using his savings to stock it with cosmetic products.
Like most marriages, theirs had occasional conflicts, but these disagreements typically resolved quickly. When disputes lingered, Pratima's brother Sandeep would mediate. Sandeep and Balakrishna shared an exceptionally close bond that neighbors often cited as exemplary.
In August 2024, Balakrishna's health began deteriorating unexpectedly. He experienced persistent vomiting and fever that wouldn't subside. Initially treated by a local doctor for what seemed like a seasonal illness, his condition showed a troubling pattern of temporary improvement followed by relapse.
The family sought more advanced medical care when his condition continued to worsen. Doctors at the initial hospital suspected jaundice but found their treatments ineffective. Balakrishna was subsequently referred to Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru, about 35 miles from Udupi.
Despite consultations at four to five different hospitals, medical professionals struggled to diagnose his condition. The family endured this medical mystery from August through October, watching Balakrishna's health fluctuate unpredictably.
On October 19, 2024, doctors at a Bengaluru hospital finally declared Balakrishna stable enough to return home. The family undertook the 8-hour journey back to Aakar that same day, arriving to a house full of relieved relatives who had gathered to welcome him.
As evening approached, around 8:00 PM, Pratima unexpectedly asked all visitors to leave, insisting Balakrishna needed rest. By 11:00 PM, only Sandeep remained, concerned about his brother-in-law's welfare. Despite his reluctance to leave, Pratima insisted he too should go home, promising to call if needed.
The night took a tragic turn when, at approximately 3:30 AM on October 20th, Pratima discovered Balakrishna unresponsive. She immediately called his parents and her brother Sandeep in distress, reporting that she couldn't wake him despite her attempts.
