Thiruvananthapuram: Dr P Rema, the former head of the forensic department of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, passed away here on Friday morning. She was 61.

Her expertise in forensics had proven pivotal in solving many sensational cases in the State.

Her husband is the popular Malayalam film actor Jagadish (In Harihar Nagar, Godfather, Junior Mandrake).

The couple has two daughters – Dr Ramya (professor at Nagercoil Medical College) and Dr Soumya (psychiatrist). Sons-in-law: Dr Narendran Nayyar IPS and Dr Praveen Panicker.

"Jagadish's wife was like a dear sister to me," actor Edavela Babu said on Friday.

Dr Rema, who was affected by Parkinson's for the past six years, had been bedridden for the past one year, he added.

Dr Rema's funeral will be held at the civic crematorium, Santhikavadam, at Thaikadu at 4 pm on Friday.