Police confirm murder of Kadinamkulam woman by Insta friend; financial dealings between duo revealed

Kazhakoottam: Police have revealed that the young woman who was found dead with stab wounds on her neck in Kadinankulam was murdered by Johnson, a man she had met through Instagram. Johnson, a resident of Chavara in Kollam, is said to have been in a relationship with the victim, Athira, for about a year. During this time, the two had financial dealings, and it was reported that Johnson frequently extorted money from the victim through threats. Police also obtained evidence that he was seen with a knife before the crime.

Athira and Johnson had connected on Instagram around a year ago, and their relationship soon grew. Johnson began blackmailing Athira using her photos, first demanding Rs 1 lakh and later another Rs 25,000 just two days before her death. He reportedly pressured her to live with him. As the harassment escalated, Athira confided in her husband about the situation, and there were tensions between them.

On the day of the incident, Johnson visited the victim’s house in the morning and had an argument with her. Police suspect that he mixed a substance into her tea to incapacitate her before stabbing her in the neck with a knife. Afterward, Johnson escaped the scene using Athira's scooter. CCTV footage showing him with the knife has been recovered by the police. The missing scooter was later found near Chirayinkeezhu Railway Station.

The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, with Athira (30), wife of Rajeev (priest at the Bhagavathi temple in Kadinamkulam), being found dead at her residence around 11.30 am. She was killed at the temple-owned house. Police had received leads on the suspect on the same day, and it was previously suspected that the man Athira had met through social media was involved in the crime.