Two Kerala Women Killed In California Double Murder; Common Friend Arrested

Two women from Kerala living with their families in the United States were allegedly killed in a double murder in California, with their common friend arrested in connection with the deaths, according to police and relatives.

The victims have been identified as Anjana Hari, 35, from Thrissur, and Ann Mary Mathew, 40, from Thiruvananthapuram. Their common friend, Anila, 32, from Kottayam, has been arrested. The motive behind the killings has not yet been established.

The incident occurred on August 28 in California. Relatives said the three women had spent time together the previous day, attending an Onam celebration before going to a theatre to watch a film.

Anjana Killed In Parking Lot

According to police, officers received an alert around noon on August 28 about a hit-and-run collision in a residential parking area. Witnesses reported seeing a blue SUV leave the scene immediately after the collision.

Police found a woman with serious injuries at the spot. She was pronounced dead at the scene and was later identified as Anjana.

Officers subsequently located a blue SUV matching the description in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle had substantial damage consistent with a collision.

The driver, a 32-year-old woman from Milpitas, was arrested. Police have not publicly released her name, while relatives identified her as Anila.

Second Woman Found Dead Inside Apartment

Relatives alleged that Ann Mary was stabbed inside her apartment before Anila allegedly rammed her vehicle into Anjana.

Ann's husband, Jacob, reportedly went to the apartment after learning about Anjana's death and found Ann dead.

However, police have yet to fully establish the circumstances surrounding both deaths, and the investigation into the incident is continuing.

The motive remains unclear. Some relatives have claimed that Anila had recently lost her job in the US, while Ann had secured a job and work permit around two weeks before the incident. There is, however, no official confirmation that employment or financial difficulties were connected to the killings.

Suresh Gopi Steps In For Repatriation

Union Minister Suresh Gopi has intervened to facilitate the repatriation of the women's mortal remains to Kerala.

Gopi said he had spoken to the Consul General at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco regarding arrangements to bring the bodies home.

He said the deaths had been officially confirmed as homicides, while the precise motive and detailed findings would become clear only after the US authorities complete their investigation and issue formal reports.

According to the minister, instructions have been issued to the funeral homes handling the remains to complete the documentation required for repatriation.

The timing of the repatriation, however, remains uncertain as US authorities may retain the bodies as part of the investigation.

Anjana Was Schoolteacher

Anjana, a schoolteacher, had moved to California with her family in 2021. She lived with her husband, Vijesh, a software engineer, and their six-year-old daughter, Vamika.

She had last visited Kerala in 2023.

Ann Mary worked as a computer teacher at a school in the US. She is survived by her husband, Jacob, and their children, Andreesa, 12, and Alisa, 5, according to relatives.

The deaths have left two Kerala families awaiting the return of their loved ones as US authorities continue investigating the circumstances of the alleged double murder.