Pattikkad/ Erattupetta (Kerala): Residents and relatives across Thrissur, Kottayam, and the quiet hamlet of Thazhakkavayal near Erattupetta remain in a state of profound shock and disbelief as further tragic details emerge following reports from Milpitas, California, where a local Malayali woman, Anila, was taken into custody in connection with the horrific murders of her two close Keralite friends.
Neighbours and relatives are struggling to come to terms with the news. Belonging to a well-regarded family, Anila, the daughter of a local figure known as “Baby Doctor” and his wife Jolly, was widely known for her calm demeanor and polite nature.

The incident and investigation

The killings occurred around 12 pm on Friday. The victims have been identified as Anjana (35), daughter of Haridas and Sushama from Thekkoottu, Muadikkode, Pananchery, and Annie (35), a Thiruvananthapuram native and wife of Jacob from Pallathara, Kurichy of Kottayam.

Anila, who hails from the Maramattam house in Thazhakkavayal, Moonnilavu Panchayat, has been taken into police custody and reportedly confessed to the crime. Preliminary investigations suggest that severe depression caused from a recent job loss in the US may have led to the tragedy, though police are questioning her further to establish the exact motive.

Locals express disbelief and suspect mystery

Family friends and locals insist the Anila they knew was incapable of committing such a crime. She earned an engineering degree from ARS College, Bharananganam, before moving to the United States four years ago, where she worked for a private firm. Financially secure and happily living with her husband and child, she appeared to be doing well. Her parents had joined her in the US two months ago, while her brother resides in Canada, leaving the family home in Erattupetta empty.

Those close to the family acknowledged she faced some work-related issues recently, but expressed doubt that job stress alone could trigger such an act, especially given the close bond between the three women. They had recently watched the latest Nivin Pauly-starred movie and celebrated Onam together.

According to reports, Anila allegedly lured Anjana out of her apartment building and ran her over with a car. Police identified the vehicle through CCTV footage. Upon learning of the incident, Anjana’s husband, Vijeesh, contacted Annie’s husband, Jacob. Unable to reach Annie by phone, Jacob alerted the police.

At around 2.00 pm, police searched a residence in the 700 block of Linda Vista Street, where they found Annie’s body with fatal stab wounds. Anjana, who worked for a private company, had resided in California with her husband Vijeesh for eight years and left behind a daughter, Vamika. Annie left behind two children, Andreena and Alisa.