The Kerala Police on Wednesday found the bodies of four members of a family buried behind their home in Idukki district’s Thodupuzha. The police suspect “black magic” behind the killings, according to the Hindustan Times.

The bodies of Kannatu Krishnan (52), his wife Susheela (50), their daughter Aarsha (21) and their son Arjun (18) were found stacked one over the other, the police said, adding that they recovered a hammer and a knife from the spot.

“All four had injuries on their faces, Krishnan’s face was fully damaged,” a police officer who assisted in digging out the bodies told The News Minute. “The boy [Arjun] too had severe wounds, the girl [Aarsha] had injuries on the back.” Krishnan’s wife Susheela had a large wound on her chest.

The police said they had been informed by neighbours who reportedly went to Krishnan’s house on Wednesday and saw bloodstains on the floor and walls, according to PTI.

“There was no forced entry into the house,” a senior police officer told Hindustan Times. “It shows the crime was committed by someone who knows the family well. We suspect more than two persons were involved in the crime.”

Police said Krishnan owned a rubber plantation and a case was registered against Krishnan three years ago for allegedly practising black magic. “We still have not been able to find the cause and means of death,” an unidentified police official told NDTV. “We are probing all angles to the death, including witchcraft.”