The Ghaziabad Girls, Who Jumped From The 9th Floor Of The Building, Thought They Were Korean Princesses

Three sisters—ages 12, 14, and 16—K Died by suicide After jumping from the ninth floor of their residential building in Ghaziabad, they became addicted to a Korean online task-based ‘love game’ and started imagining themselves as ‘Korean princesses’ under its influence, according to police officials.

The incident took place in the early hours of Wednesday at a high-rise apartment complex in Ghaziabad. (AI-generated image)The incident took place in the early hours of Wednesday at a high-rise apartment complex in Ghaziabad. The girls lived with their father, a forex trader, and their mother. According to the police, the elder daughter was born to the father’s first wife, while the two younger daughters were from his second marriage.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Atul Kumar Singh said preliminary findings showed that the sisters had developed a strong obsession with Korean-themed online games during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly changed their behaviour, routine and self-concept.

A lock in the puja room, then a fatal jumpAccording to the police, the girls were with their mothers around 12:30 am before entering the puja room and locking it from inside.

They then used a chair to access the window and jumped one by one from the ninth floor, investigators said.

“Residents and security guards raised an alarm after hearing a loud sound. Family members also woke up. Police were informed and reached the spot. All three died on the spot. The bodies were sent for post-mortem,” Singh said.

Another police update put the time around 2-2.15 pm, adding that emergency teams rushed the girls to a hospital in Loni where they were declared brought dead.

Diary Notes is a revelation of the world of fantasy identityDuring a search of the flat, police recovered a diary and a one-page note addressed to the parents that read: “Mummy, Dad I’m sorry.”

Officials said the diary contained multiple notes, sketches and references to games and the girls’ inner world.

“They left many notes saying sorry with a crying caricature. They were very obsessed with the game and thought they were Koreans, not Indians. They portrayed themselves as Korean princesses under the influence of the game,” said ACP.

Police described the app as an online, task-based “Korean love game” format, where players take on characters and complete missions. Investigators are working to identify the exact platform and nature of the work involved.

Addiction concerns are flagged by familiesPolice said the family was aware of the girls’ excessive mobile phone use and gaming addiction and sometimes tried to restrict access by removing their phones. However, the sisters will be able to bring them back.

Officials added that the three siblings function almost as a single unit in daily life. “They followed a common routine – bathe together, eat together, go to school together, sleep together. Their diaries detail their lifestyle and their deep involvement with the game,” Singh said.

Investigators also noted that the eldest daughter, despite being 16 years old, was still studying in Class 4 and all three were said to be irregular in school attendance.

Discussing suicide can be a trigger for some. But suicide is preventable. Some of the major suicide prevention helpline numbers in India are 011-23389090 from Sumaitri (Delhi-based) and 044-24640050 from Sneha Foundation (Chennai-based).