Kottayam: Three friends lived with affection like a single family. They had even celebrated Onam together just the other day. Now, Ottathaikal Jacob Kuruvilla from Chingavanam, who closely knows Jacob from Pallathra, Chingavanam, and his wife Ann Mary Mathew, finds it impossible to believe that one of the women murdered the other two.

“Ann was a good girl. She had a pleasant nature. My children are also in California, and Jacob and Ann provided them with great support. When I visited the US, I stayed at their home,” said Jacob Kuruvilla.

Jacob Kuruvilla has shared a close bond with Jacob's family for years. Jacob from Pallathra, Chingavanam, and his wife Ann have been in the US for around six years. Recently, Jacob and Ann had purchased a home in California. According to Jacob Kuruvilla, they moved into the new house just two months ago.

Until then, all three lived together with their families at the Mill Creek Apartments.

They had been close friends for five years. Just the other day, Anila, Anjana and Ann celebrated Onam together with great joy. They even posed for photographs wearing traditional Keralite attire. Friends and relatives remain bewildered as to how such an intense rift could suddenly develop among people who were so close.

Indications suggest that Ann's mortal remains will be brought home for the funeral service at the Pallam Kalloopparamba Church. Meanwhile, relatives and locals in Moonnilavu received the news of the murder with utter shock.

Known to be generally calm and courteous to everyone, they too find it unbelievable that Anila could commit such a crime.