Woman murdered and buried by neighbour in Vellarada

The Thiruvananthapuram Rural Police on Sunday arrested one man for the alleged murder and burial of his neighbour in Vellarada.

The case pertains to the mysterious disappearance of 48-year-old Priyamvada, a cashew factory worker, resident of Mavuvila, near Panachummoodu, who was missing since June 12. The Vellarada police apprehended Vinod, 46, the son-in-law of the victim’s neighbour Saraswathi, in the case.

Following interrogation, Priyamvada’s corpse was recovered from near her neighbour’s house later in the day.

According to the police, Priyamvada had been living alone for several years after being abandoned by her husband. She has two daughters who reported her missing to the Vellarada police after being unable to contact her.

Suspicion of foul play emerged when Saraswathi told police that she had noticed bloodstains near her house and believed something was amiss in Priyamvada’s sudden disappearance. The accused’s daughter also reportedly told her grandmother that she saw a hand beneath the bed. Saraswathi first disclosed the information to the local priest, who then alerted the police.

Following this tip-off, police conducted an investigation at the site and found bloodstains and strands of hair. Vinod and his brother Santhosh, a native of Neyyattinkara, were taken into custody for suspected involvement in the case.

Vinod subsequently admitted to murdering Priyamvada. The duo is learnt to have had financial dealings, and engaged in a heated argument when Priyamvada demanded repayment of a loan she had given him on June 12. In a fit of rage, Vinod is suspected to have attacked her, rendering her unconscious. Once she regained consciousness, he allegedly strangled her to death.

The body was initially hidden under the bed while Vinod’s mother-in-law and children were away from home. His wife is currently abroad. Later that night, he allegedly buried the body behind his house.

Notably, the accused actively participated in the search alongside Priyamvada’s relatives, and even frequently inquired about the progress of the investigation. The investigation team is probing Santhosh’s possible involvement in the crime.