Koppal: Three members of a jeweller family -- a couple and their son -- were found dead at their residence in this district on Saturday, and this is suspected to be the result of a suicide pact, police said.

The deceased were identified as Prakash Raykar (55), his wife Prabha (50), and their 21-year-old son Shashank.

Police said Prakash owned a jewellery shop in the town of Gangavathi.

Police said a preliminary investigation suggests that the three died by hanging inside their house.

"I, our support team, the DSP and other officers visited the scene," Koppal SP Ram Arasiddi told reporters.

"As per our preliminary information, the deceased came here last night in their car, parked it, entered the house through the rear entrance after breaking open the back door, and Prabha, Prakash and their son Shashank hanged themselves," the officer said.

Police said they are investigating the circumstances leading to the deaths.

It appeared that mounting debt may have driven the family to take the extreme step, though the exact cause will be established after a detailed investigation, police sources said.