Kerala doctor found dead in her apartment in Abu Dhabi, probe launched

A prominent Indian expatriate doctor, Dr Dhanalakshmi, was found dead in her apartment in Abu Dhabi early Tuesday morning. The 54-year-old, originally from Kannur in the south Indian state of Kerala, was a general dentist at Lifecare Hospital in Musaffah.

Dr Dhanalakshmi was more than a medical professional — she was a well-known author, speaker, and active community contributor. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lifecare Hospital expressed deep sorrow at her loss, describing her as a beloved team member who brought positivity and compassion to both her colleagues and patients.

Lifecare Hospital said on Instagram, “We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dr. Dhanalakshmi, General Dentist at Lifecare Hospital, Mussafah. A compassionate healer, dedicated educator, and beloved member of our medical family, she touched countless lives with her warmth, kindness, and joyful spirit. Her legacy of care and community connection will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

“She will be dearly missed.”

Highly respected for her clinical skill and warm demeanor, Dr Dhanalakshmi earned the trust of her patients through empathetic care. She was also deeply committed to public health awareness, often volunteering her time to conduct educational sessions on dental hygiene and wellness across schools, colleges, and community centers.

Her profile was recently removed from Lifecare Hospital’s website following news of her death.

As tributes continue to pour in, the community mourns the loss of a compassionate doctor, a talented communicator, and a woman whose life touched many. Her legacy, both in and out of the clinic, will be remembered with admiration and affection.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the cause of her death.

This is the fourth Indian expat, and 3 from Kerala, were found dead in July. All were women.  

Last week, a 30-year-old Kerala woman was found dead in her apartment on her 30th birthday in Sharjah, according to authorities close to the case.

The family of the deceased woman, Athulya Sekhar, has filed a formal complaint accusing her husband of prolonged domestic abuse, both physical and psychological.

Authorities said that Athulya was discovered hanging in her residence near Rolla Park.

The deceased hailed from Thevalakkara in Kollam district, Kerala.

According to her kin, Athulya had been a victim of sustained abuse at the hands of her husband, Satheesh Shankar, with whom she had been living in Sharjah.

Earlier this month, another Malayalam woman and her one-and-a-half-year-old baby were found dead in their apartment in Sharjah’s Al Nahda area.

Authorities have identified the deceased as an Indian expat living in the emirate with her baby.

The woman was employed in the HR department of a private firm in Dubai, while her husband works as a facilities engineer in the city. The couple had reportedly been living apart due to ongoing marital issues.

According to authorities, the woman allegedly hanged her baby before taking her own life using the same rope. A doctor who examined the scene noted clear marks on her neck consistent with hanging.

Indian media said that family members have raised serious concerns, alleging that the woman had been facing emotional abuse related to dowry and was under pressure from her husband to agree to a divorce.

Sources close to the family claim that she had shared her distress with her mother and domestic help, expressing a fear of going through with the separation.

Another Indian woman in her 40s lost her life in a tragic apartment fire that broke out in the Al Majaz 2 area of Sharjah.

A grocery owner in the same building alerted the authorities about the fire. The grocer said that the Sharjah authorities swung into action and evacuated residents from the other apartments and moved them to safety.

Residents and witnesses said that fire occurred around 10:30pm on the eighth floor of an 11-storey residential building.

Initial reports suggest the woman was performing a religious ritual at the time the fire started. The exact cause remains under investigation.

Emergency services, including Sharjah Civil Defence, police, and National Ambulance teams, responded promptly after receiving a distress call.

Despite their quick efforts, the woman succumbed to the blaze. Her body has been transferred to the forensic department for further examination.

Eyewitnesses said the fire was swiftly brought under control, preventing damage to other apartments.

Residents said authorities cordoned off the entire eighth floor as a safety measure.