Two Malayali women killed in California, suspect in custody

Two Malayali women were killed in California, United States, allegedly by a friend.

THRISSUR/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two Malayali women were killed in California, United States, allegedly by another Malayali woman who was their friend and lived in the same apartment complex, according to their relatives. An investigation is underway. One of the victims was identified as 35-year-old Anjana from Mudikkode near Mannuthy in Thrissur. The other was Ann Mary Mathew (40) of Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram. The victims’ families have alleged that both Anjana and Ann Mary were killed by their friend Anila. According to information received by the families, San Jose police have taken the suspect into custody and are investigating the case. Jerry Sam Joseph, a neighbour and family friend, said Ann Mary’s family had received information that she had an issue with the suspect over a job-related matter. However, Anjana’s cousin Vinod said the family had not yet received any information about the motive behind the killings. The suspect allegedly entered Ann Mary’s house and stabbed her, Jerry said. According to information received by Anjana’s relatives, Anjana was killed after Anila allegedly knocked her down with a car. The killings reportedly took place around noon on Friday (US time). Anjana’s family in Keralam was informed about the incident on Saturday (Indian time). Ann Mary had been living in the US for around 10 years and was working as an engineer, according to her neighbours. She was married to Pallathra Jacob, a native of Chingavanam in Kottayam, who is also in the US. Anjana had been working as a teacher in California for nearly six years, according to her relatives. Her husband, Vijeesh, who hails from Vilangannoor near Peechi, is also employed there. Vijayan Vilangannur, Anjana’s father-in-law, said his son Vijeesh was extremely distressed by the incident and was unable to speak to him. Thrissur collector Sikha Surendran said she had asked Anjana’s family to submit details of the incident so that they could be forwarded to the NORKA secretary, who would then approach Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for assistance in bringing the body back to the state. Meanwhile, Ann Mary’s relatives said they were awaiting further information from US and that arrangements were being made to bring her body back to Thiruvananthapuram.