It was the missing person's complaint registered by Avdhut Shinde's employers with The Hague police on May 20 that led to the discovery of the decomposed body of his wife, Sharmila, inside a flat in Raspberry Street on May 21. Avdhut had fled The Netherlands with his two children four days earlier, the Dutch police told mid-day, adding that they do not exclude a crime in the case.

After recovering the body, The Hague police issued a press note saying, "In response to the finding of the remains, the police carried out searches in the home. The police do not exclude a crime and will conduct further investigation."