Kannur: Police have confirmed that the death of a woman whose body was found in front of a store behind a beverage outlet in central Kannur was a case of murder. The victim, 50-year-old woman from Thottada, was found dead on Tuesday morning behind the Bevco outlet at Parakkandy.

Officers said the woman suffered a fatal head injury during a violent sexual assault. According to the post-mortem report, she died from a wound to the back of her head, believed to have been caused when she was struck against the ground. Evidence indicates that she was assaulted with force before her death.

Police arrested Shashikumar (52), a native of Kuttippuram who had been living rough in Kannur city for several years. Investigators were able to trace him using CCTV footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence.

The accused and the victim were both homeless and had been ragpickers staying in front of the same store for a long time. A witness from Tamil Nadu told police that the two had been drinking together late into the night shortly before the incident. During the assault, the woman reportedly fell and hit her head on the floor, causing severe bleeding.

Police said that the accused, who was heavily intoxicated, did not realise the woman had died and walked away from the scene. He was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and reportedly learned of the woman’s death only after being taken into custody.

Town Police Inspector Sreejith Koderi, along with Sub-Inspectors V. V. Deepthi and K. Vinod Kumar, led the investigation. The arrest was carried out by a team including officers Nasar, Baiju, and Shaji.

Inspector Koderi said that Shashikumar, who has been living in Kannur for over 20 years, has no previous criminal record. His wife and children live in his native village, police added.