Is Kerala's serial killing mystery unravelling? Bloodstains at Sebastian’s house confirmed as missing woman Jainamma’s

Kottayam: A major breakthrough has emerged in the mysterious disappearance case of Jainamma. Bloodstains discovered at the residence of the accused, Sebastian, a native of Pallippuram in Cherthala, have been forensically confirmed to belong to Jainamma, according to results from the Thiruvananthapuram forensic lab. This key finding strengthens the suspicion that Sebastian may have murdered her.

The Crime Branch investigation has also revealed that gold ornaments pledged at various financial institutions by Sebastian originally belonged to Jainamma, further deepening the case against him.

Earlier, during a search at Sebastian’s house, blood traces were found in a rear room, and subsequent forensic inspection of the property uncovered charred human remains in the yard. However, DNA results of those remains are still awaited and have not yet confirmed to whom they belong.

Sebastian has been under suspicion in the disappearance of three women — Bindu Padmanabhan, Jainamma and Ayesha — all of whom vanished under mysterious circumstances. Investigators believe it is highly likely that all three were murdered.

Sebastian had previously been arrested in connection with the fraudulent transfer of Bindu Padmanabhan’s property, and though a complaint had been raised regarding her disappearance, earlier probes yielded no solid evidence. He was again taken into custody after the disappearance of Jainamma (48) from Ettumanoor, which eventually led to the discovery of suspected remains in the yard of his Pallippuram residence. However, authorities are still unable to confirm which of the missing women those remains belong to.

According to Jainamma’s husband Mathew from Kottamury Kaalayil House in Athirampuzha, she went missing on the morning of December 23, 2024. She was known to frequently visit and stay at spiritual retreat centres and investigators believe it may have been at one of these centres that she became acquainted with Sebastian.

The case, initially filed by Ettumanoor Police, is now being investigated by the Kottayam Crime Branch. Investigators tracing Jainamma’s mobile phone activity established her link to Sebastian, which led to the search at his residence and the discovery of charred body parts.

As a result, a murder charge has now been formally added to the case against Sebastian.