Police locate man who went missing after publishing own obit

A 75-year-old man from Kannur district, who went missing last week after advertising his own obituary in newspapers, was today traced by police.
Joseph Melukunnel from Iritty in Kannur district was found in a lodge near the Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple here in the early hours, the police said.
He had been missing since last Thursday after publishing his obit in the Kannur edition of all major Malayalam dailies, they said.
His family filed a 'missing report' after seeing the report about his 'death' in various vernacular dailies.
Joseph, who had given his familys detailed history in the obit-advertisement, had switched off his mobile phone after leaving Payyanur in Kannur.

According to police, he visited a cooperative agriculture bank branch in Kottayam yesterday claiming that he was Josephs relative.

He told the branch secretary that he wanted to send the 'dead' man's gold chain, money and ATM card to his wife at Thalipparamba.
Joseph had shown the obit to the bank branch secretary to convince him that he was Joseph's relative.
The secretary, who became suspicious, contacted a bank official in Kannur.
Joseph immediately left the bank fearing that he would be caught.
Police in Thaliparamba were informed about the development by the bank official in Kannur.
The information was passed to police here who found him at the lodge.

He will be handed over to his relatives, police added.