In a tragic incident in Perlis yesterday, an elderly couple and their 35-year-old daughter took their own lives due to debt and being unable to cope with the high cost of living.

This was revealed by the couple's eldest son, who decided not to proceed with the suicide pact.

The Star Online reported that the victims' bodies were found in the Kampung Belat Batu river in Perlis.

The father was aged 66 while the mother, 64. The son was found alive close to the river.

He told the police that this parents and sister had decided to consume poison before jumping into the river, but he had changed his mind at the last minute.

“He managed to climb out of the river, but the rest of his family were swept away by the current. According to police reports, the motives behind the suicides were debt and the high cost of living.

“The matter is still under investigation,” read the news report.