Missing Kerala girl found dead while trekking in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka

April 10, 2026

Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka), In a tragic incident, 14-year-old Srinanda from Kerala, who went missing while trekking with her parents, was found dead in a mountain ravine on Friday.

Officials recovered her body after a three-day search operation, about 2,000 feet below the spot where she disappeared.

Went missing while trekking

According to police, Srinanda, a resident of Palakkad, Kerala, went missing from the Chandradrona mountain range. She was trekking with a group of 40 people on April 7 at around 6 pm.

She was last seen in the Manikyadhara area. Despite her parents’ numerous efforts, no trace of her was found.

Search Operation Conducted Using Drones and Thermal Cameras

Teams from the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Forest Department conducted a joint search operation.

Drones and thermal cameras were used due to the dangerous and steep terrain of the hill.

Officials say they are investigating all aspects—whether she slipped and fell or if there was some other reason.

Investigation from Every Angle, Fears Expressed Earlier

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara had previously stated that initially, different fears had emerged—some were suggesting a kidnapping, while others suggested she might have gone away with someone.

According to preliminary information, Shrinanda had come to Karnataka with her family for a visit. They first went to Hampi and then arrived in Chikkamagaluru on April 7. They then traveled to the Bababudangiri and Manikyadhara areas, where she went missing near a waterfall.

Police have seized the parents’ mobile phones and launched an investigation, investigating all aspects. A team from the Kerala Police has also arrived at the scene.

Meanwhile, Sharanya, a trekker from Kerala who went missing in the Madikeri forest in Karnataka last week, was rescued safely. Further investigation is underway.