US Woman Found Chained to Tree in Indian Forest Blames Husband, Later Admits She Tied Herself (Photos)
An American woman found chained to a tree in a forest in Maharashtra, India, initially blamed her husband but later admitted she had chained herself.
Lalita Kayi, 50, was rescued on July 27 from the dense forests of Sindhudurg district after shepherds heard her cries for help. In a statement to the police, she claimed her husband had chained her and left her to die without food or water, shocking the nation and prompting an investigation.
However, it has now been revealed that there is no husband involved. Saurabh Agarwal, superintendent of police for Sindhudurg, told BBC Marathi on August 6 that Ms. Kayi has since said she was not married and was likely hallucinating when she made her initial statement.
Police reported that Ms. Kayi had been distressed because her visa had expired and she was running out of money. She bought locks and chains and tied herself to the tree.
Dr. Sanghamitra Phule, superintendent of the psychiatric hospital where Ms. Kayi is being treated, stated that her condition is improving. “She eats, walks, and exercises. She is under treatment and receiving nutrients she was lacking.” Ms. Kayi’s family in the US has been contacted, and she has spoken with them by phone.
Ms. Kayi, who is receiving treatment in a psychiatric facility, has not spoken publicly. The US embassy has also declined to comment, citing her right to privacy
She was found on July 27 by a cow herder who heard her screaming while taking his cattle to graze. “The sound was coming from the forest on the side of the mountain. When I went there, I saw one of her legs tied to a tree. She was screaming like an animal. I called other villagers and the local police.”
The police sawed off the chain and rescued her. Ms. Kayi, who appeared emaciated, was taken to a hospital and later moved to a psychiatric facility for further treatment.
Police found a copy of her passport, identifying her as a US citizen from Massachusetts, along with other documents, a mobile phone, a tablet, and 31,000 rupees ($370; £290). Initially unable to speak, she communicated with the police and doctors by writing notes. She had claimed she was married to a man in Tamil Nadu and blamed him for her predicament, also asserting she had gone without food and water for 40 days, a claim police questioned due to its implausibility.