Two Malayali women killed, third is accused: What we know so far about California case

The mysterious murders of two Malayali women in California, allegedly by their friend who is also a Malayali, has shocked Keralam, with Union Minister Suresh Gopi saying all steps would be taken to bring their mortal remains home.

The motive and the sequence of events remain shrouded in mystery. The three women reportedly lived in the same apartment complex in Milpitas, California, the US.

About the victims

The victims have been identified as Anjana Hari, 35, originally from Mudikkode near Thrissur’s Mannuthy, and Ann Mary Mathew, 40, of Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram.

Ann Mary was reportedly an engineer who had been living in the US for around 10 years. Her husband, Pallathra Jacob, is from Chingavanam in Kottayam. Both reportedly worked in the IT sector. The couple has two daughters; one is 10 years old and the other is only five.

Also read: Teen girl, 3 friends held for grandfather’s murder in Kerala; ‘took inspiration from films’

The other victim, Anjana, was reportedly a teacher who was moved to the US in 2021 with her family. Her husband, Vijeesh, is from Vilangannoor near Peechi. They have a six-year-old daughter.

About the accused

The accused has been identified as Anila, 32, a native of Kottayam. It is not clear what she did for a living but she reportedly lives in the US with her husband and a child. Her parents reportedly visited her only about two months ago.

San Jose police have reportedly taken her into custody and are investigating the case. While the details of the case are hazy, here is what can be pieced together from the accounts given by the murdered women’s relatives in India to different media houses.

All three families reportedly lived in Mill Creek Apartments on Dixon Landing Road. The three women were reportedly friends, had attended Onam celebrations together, and even caught Nivin Pauly’s blockbuster Onam release Bethlehem Kudumba Unit in theatre together recently.

Also read: Saudi-returned Muslims in Keralam more conservative, study finds; Tharoor reacts

However, Anila reportedly lost her job recently, with Ann Mary’s relatives suggesting it had something to do with Ann Mary. But Anjana’s cousin Vinod said their family had no information about the motive.

On the other hand, Anila’s relatives and friends in Kerala said they were unaware of any major job-related problems she might have faced. They also thought it unbelievable that any such problem might have triggered her to take such an extreme step and suspected something amiss.

How crime allegedly took place

Anyhow, on Friday (August 28), Anila allegedly first entered Ann Mary’s house and stabbed her. Then, she allegedly called Anjana and asked her to meet her outside their apartment complex. When Anjana walked out, around noon (US time), Anila, who was allegedly ready in her blue SUV, drove it straight into her, killing her on the spot.

Anila then allegedly sped off but Vijeesh reportedly saw the entire incident and identified the car as Anila’s. The vehicle was reportedly found later, in a severely damaged condition, in the parking lot of a nearly building.

Vinod told the media that their family knew Ann Mary through video calls but did not personally know Anila. He also said Vijeesh was yet to provide complete information, as he was still in shock. Vijeesh’s father also told the media the same.

Also read: NRI compares US and India social life after Bengaluru visit, sparks debate

Some reports suggest that after identifying Anila’s car, Vijeesh rang up Jacob to inform him of the incident. While it is not clear why exactly he called Jacob, the latter, who was not at home, reportedly tried to get in touch with his wife Ann Mary but failed. Suspecting something amiss, he reportedly rushed back home and found her dead with stab wounds.

What Suresh Gopi said

Union minister Suresh Gopi on Monday (August 31) told the media that the deaths had been officially confirmed as homicides, but specific motives and detailed investigative findings would be known only after formal reports were issued by the US authorities to the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and NORKA.

He added that all steps would be taken to bring back the mortal remains of Anjana and Ann Mary. “I spoke with the Consul General at the Consulate located in San Francisco, which has jurisdiction over California, this morning at 7.25 am. According to what he informed me, orders have been issued to the funeral homes to proceed with all the required documentation to send the mortal remains to their home country,” he said.

Also read: What is Kerala Nativity Card and who is eligible?

The minister said it was not yet confirmed when the mortal remains would be handed over to the relatives in the US, as authorities may retain them for further investigation. “I am expecting an update from the Consulate later today. Only after that will we know when the mortal remains can be brought or dispatched from there,” he said.