Mangaluru : A 30-year-old woman was found dead along with her three young children on the banks of the Payaswini at Ajjavara village in Sullia on Tuesday.

According to Sullia police, a passer-by saw Kusumavati jumping into the backwaters of the Payaswini along with her three children, Lilitha (5), Rakshita (3) and Sujan (1).

After informing the police, the passer-by rushed to the spot along with fellow villagers and local swimmers. The swimmers managed to retrieve the bodies.

The police said they are yet to ascertain why Kusumavati jumped into the backwaters. The Payaswini backwaters are a few metres from her house, the police said.