Thiruvananthapuram: Two Malayali women were murdered in California, USA on Friday. The relatives of the deceased said that another Malayali woman who lived in the same apartment complex and was their friend committed the crime.
One of the deceased has been identified as Anjana, 35, a resident of Mudikkode near Mannuthi in Thrissur, and the other as Ann Marie Mathew, 40, a resident of Keshavadasapura in Thiruvananthapuram.
Anjana’s family in Thrissur has accused her friend Anila, who hails from Kerala, of killing Anjana. According to Anjana’s cousin Vinod, Anila is also suspected to have been involved in the murder of Ann Marie, who was a friend of both Anjana and Anila. The three reportedly lived in the same residential complex.
The family had information that Ann Marie had a problem with the accused over a work-related matter, her relatives said. However, Vinod said the family is yet to get any information about the motive behind the killings. According to information available to the family, the San Jose police have taken the accused into custody and are investigating the case.
According to a neighbour and family friend, Jerry Sam Joseph, the accused barged into Ann Marie’s house and stabbed her to death.
According to information available to Anjana’s relatives, Anjana was killed by being hit by a car. The murders reportedly took place on Friday afternoon (US time). Anjana’s family in Kerala were informed about the incident on Saturday (Indian time).
According to neighbours, Ann Marie had been living in the US for about 10 years and was working as an engineer. She was married to Pallathra Jacob, a native of Chingavanam, Kottayam; They are also based in America.
According to relatives, Anjana had been working as a teacher in California for about six years. Her husband, Vijeesh, hails from Vilanganur near Peechi and is also employed there. Anjana’s father-in-law, Vijayan Vilanganur, said that his son Vijeesh is deeply shocked by the incident and is unable to speak to him.