Kochi crime: Victim was a sex worker; suspect George admits to killing with hammer, say police

Kochi: Police have confirmed that a woman whose body was found tied in a sack in Konthuruthy on Saturday morning was murdered. George, who was taken into custody, has confessed to the crime, they said. The victim, identified as a sex worker, was killed following a financial dispute, police added.

The semi-nude body was discovered on the road in front of George’s house, with George reportedly sitting nearby in a drunken state. Police took him into custody after arriving at the scene.

According to police, George had called the woman to his place on Friday night, and an argument over money ensued. He then allegedly struck her on the head with a hammer, causing her death.

The incident came to light around 6.30 am on Saturday morning. Neighbours reported that George had been searching for sacks on Saturday morning, telling them a dog had died in his yard. He later collected sacks from a nearby shop, in which the body was subsequently wrapped and placed on the path near his house.

Members of the Haritha Karma Sena first spotted the body and informed the local ward councillor, who alerted the police. Locals said the deceased was not a resident of the area and that her body bore injuries and was found half-naked. George was reportedly silent when first seen near the body.

Neighbours described George, who worked previously as a home nurse, as an alcoholic adding but he had not previously caused problems. He has a wife and two children, with his son residing in the UK and his daughter in Pala. At the time of the incident, his wife was not home.