Authorities in California are investigating the deaths of two women from Kerala, which are being treated as a homicide case. The victims were found dead shortly after celebrating the Onam festival with their families. A woman residing in the same apartment complex as the victims has been arrested in connection with the incident.
No motive has been established, and police have not yet released further details of the allegations. When they arrived, they found a woman with severe injuries lying in the parking lot. Officers later traced an SUV matching that description to a nearby car park.
The incident took place on 28 August in Milpitas, a city in California. Ann Mary Mathew, 40, originally from Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvananthapuram, was allegedly stabbed inside an apartment at the Mill Creek Apartments complex. Anjana Hari, 35, from Mudikkode in Thrissur, was later struck by a car in the complex’s parking area. They arrested the vehicle’s driver, a 32-year-old Milpitas resident.
Officers were first called out over a hit-and-run report on Dixon Landing Road, near the Mill Creek Apartments, according to Milpitas Police. Witnesses told police that a blue SUV had driven off straight after the collision.
She was allegedly friends with both women and is believed to have lived in the same apartment complex with her own family. Relatives of the victims have identified the woman in custody as Anila, 32, from Moonnilavu in Kottayam, news agency IANS reported.
Homicide Confirmations Await Detailed Reports
Authorities have confirmed that the recent deaths are classified as homicides. Gopi stated that the specific motives and comprehensive findings from the ongoing investigation will be disclosed when formal reports are submitted by US authorities. These reports will be sent to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and NORKA.
