Maharashtra family deaths: Teen had attempted suicide from same hill a year earlier

Mumbai: A tragic family incident in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district has taken a new turn after police revealed that the 18-year-old man who died after falling from a hilltop had allegedly attempted suicide from the same location a year earlier.

The development has emerged during the investigation into the deaths of three members of the same family at Khavdya Hill in the Tisgaon area on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Kunal Murlidhar Chandwade, his father Murlidhar Chandwade and mother Sangeeta Chandwade.

According to police, Kunal had attempted suicide from Khavdya Hill in 2025 but survived. Investigators are now examining the earlier incident as they try to understand the circumstances that led to Friday’s tragedy.

Teen spent hours near cliff edge

The incident reportedly took place after a dispute began between Kunal and his parents. The disagreement was allegedly linked to an iPhone purchased on instalments and a pending payment.

Following the argument, Kunal went to Khavdya Hill.

Police said he reached the location at around 10 am and remained close to the edge of the cliff for several hours. His parents followed him and tried to convince him to return.

Local residents, police personnel and fire brigade officials also joined the efforts to bring him to safety.

According to reports, Kunal remained at the spot despite repeated attempts to persuade him to move away from the edge.

Rescue attempt ends in tragedy

The situation turned fatal when Kunal eventually fell from the hill.

His father, Murlidhar also fell from the cliff while trying to reach and save him. His mother Sangeeta, who had been attempting to persuade Kunal to step back, subsequently fell as well.

All three members of the family died.

The incident initially appeared to have stemmed from a family dispute. However, the revelation about Kunal’s previous attempt from the same location has prompted investigators to look more closely at the circumstances surrounding his actions.

Previous incident becomes key part of probe

Police are now examining what happened during Kunal’s alleged suicide attempt in 2025 and whether there were any warning signs or circumstances that could help explain Friday’s incident.

The earlier attempt does not, by itself, establish a particular reason for his actions. Investigators are also looking into whether the dispute over the phone payment was the immediate trigger or whether other factors were involved.

The reported iPhone dispute is therefore being treated as part of the sequence of events rather than a confirmed explanation for the tragedy.

The case has shocked residents of the Tisgaon area, particularly because of the reported attempts by Kunal’s parents, police and local residents to prevent him from approaching the cliff edge.

Authorities are continuing to reconstruct the events leading up to the deaths and are examining Kunal’s previous suicide bid at Khavdya Hill as part of the probe.