American Woman Found Chained in Indian Forest for 40 Days Sparks Manhunt for Ex-Husband

Lalita Kayi Kumar was found in a forest near Sonurli village, Goa, where she had been chained to a tree -

An American woman, Lalita Kayi Kumar, 49, has been discovered chained to a tree in an Indian forest near Sonurli village, Goa, where she had been for 40 days. Her discovery has triggered a manhunt for her former husband.

A shepherd found Ms. Kumar after hearing her cries for several days. Unable to speak following her rescue, she wrote a note alleging that her ex-husband had left her to die without food for 40 days. She claimed he administered an injection for extreme psychosis, which caused severe jaw lock and inability to drink water. In the note, she also mentioned needing intravenous food and stated that her husband had tied her to the tree in the forest.

Lalita Kayi Kumar was unable to speak following her rescue, and wrote a note alleging that her ex-husband had left her in the forest to die

When found, Ms. Kumar had her legs tied to the tree, though her hands were unbound. A police officer noted she was too weak to unchain herself and bore marks from numerous other injuries. She was wearing a see-through raincoat, an olive green shirt, and worn-out brown trousers.

Police have registered a case of attempted murder against her former husband, who is accused of chaining her up before escaping. Relatives of the couple are being interviewed by authorities.

Ms. Kumar was transferred to Goa Medical College for specialist treatment due to concerns about her mental health. A hospital official stated, "She is out of danger, but she is suffering from severe depression and other mental health illnesses. We have found medical prescriptions in her possession suggesting she was on antidepressants."

Documents found on Ms. Kumar indicate she was a resident of Tamil Nadu, a south Indian state approximately 600 miles from the forest where she was discovered. It is believed she had been living in India for the past decade.