In a tragic incident, a 25-year-old woman from Sangareddy district, Telangana, allegedly died by suicide due to an intense fear of ants (myrmecophobia), police said on Thursday.
The incident took place on November 4. The woman, married in 2022 and mother to a three-year-old daughter, was found hanging from a ceiling fan with a sari when her husband returned home in the evening.
According to police, the woman had suffered from a deep fear of ants since childhood and had previously received counselling at a hospital in her native Mancherial town to manage the condition.
Earlier that day, she had dropped her daughter at a relative’s house, saying she would pick her up after cleaning their home.
Suicide Note Mentions Fear of Ants
Her husband, who had gone to work in the morning, found the main door locked from inside upon returning home. With help from neighbours, he broke it open and discovered his wife’s body.
A suicide note found at the scene read:
“Sri, I am sorry, I cannot live with these ants. Take care of (daughter). Be careful. Annavaram, Tirupati Rs 1,116… don’t forget Yellamma vadi biyyam.” (a reference to a rice offering)
Police said it appeared that she might have noticed ants while cleaning and, in a moment of panic triggered by her phobia, took the extreme step.
A case has been registered at Ameenpur police station, and an investigation is underway.