Kanjirappally: A house and courtyard filled with blooming bougainvillea appeared beautiful from the outside, but life inside this house in the Kulappuram housing colony was far from peaceful. Shirley Mathew, who was murdered, had moved here only in May last year. Shirley, who had been visiting the area regularly since the construction of the house, maintained good relations with the local residents. However, she told different stories to different people. It was only after the murder, when the police revealed Shirley’s true story, that even the neighbours came to know the truth.

She had made the neighbours believe that her husband was abroad, and at times said he had died. She introduced Job, who was with her, as her brother. Since he was seen coming to the house occasionally and leaving, the locals believed this story too. To them, Shirley was simply a good neighbour who came and went with a smiling face in her car. A lover of gardening and animals, Shirley never aroused suspicion among the residents.

Neighbours said that Job and Shirley together planted and nurtured ornamental plants and fruit trees in the courtyard and on the terrace of the house. It was only when the police arrived at Shirley’s house on Sunday night that the locals came to know about the incident. A local resident, James Joseph, accompanied the police inside the house for inspection. As it was night, the police sealed the house, posted guards, and left, and it took another night for the mysteries to begin to clear.

When the truth finally emerged, the residents were shaken. They are still in shock that a murder could take place next door without raising any suspicion at all.

Living together, frequent disputes; Shirley told locals different stories about her husband

The village of Koovappally in Kanjirappally, Kottayam, is in shock after the lives of two people who lived together ended in murder and suicide. Shirley Mathew (45), a native of Thuruthi in the Kallar area of Idukki, and Job Zachariah, a native of Kuruttupparambil, Alumoodu, Kottayam, had rented a house here in Kottayam about six months ago. The house was in Shirley’s name.

Although they had been living there for six months, the couple did not maintain much contact with locals or neighbours. They rarely spoke to anyone. Residents say that apart from seeing the two leave and return together in a car, they knew little. The couple had shared different stories with different people.

Police have received indications that there were disagreements between the two. There is also information that Shirley had earlier filed a complaint with the police against Job. The police are collecting details, including whether these disputes led to the murder and suicide.

Shirley was found murdered inside the house, while Job Zachariah was found hanging. The incident is believed to have occurred around 9 pm on Sunday night. When the woman could not be reached by phone, an inquiry led to finding her body near the bed in the bedroom with her throat slit, and the man hanging from the staircase. Kanjirappally police reached the spot and began an investigation. The house has been sealed, and a detailed inspection will be carried out after scientific experts arrive.