In a shocking incident that took place on Friday, two Malayali women living in Northern California were allegedly killed by their friend who lived in the same apartment complex.
The victims were identified as 40-year-old Ann Mary Mathew from Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvannathappuram and 35-year-old Anjana Hari from Mannuthy in Thrissur. According to their relatives, both the women were murdered by their common friend, 32-year-old Anila, a native of Kottayam.
San Jose police have reportedly taken the suspect into custody.
The three women lived with their families in the Mill Creek Apartments on Dixon Landing Road. They were reportedly friends and had even attended an Onam Celebration together the previous day.
Around noon on Friday, Anila allegedly called Anjana and asked her to meet outside their apartment building. Shortly afterwards, the suspect allegedly struck her with a car, knocking her down and killing her on the spot. The vehicle was later found severely damaged in the parking lot of a nearby building.
Anjana’s husband, Vijeesh, who also worked in the US, recognised the blue SUV as Anila’s as the vehicle sped through after killing the woman. Subsequently, he called Ann’s husband, Jacob and informed him of the killing.
Jacob, who was unable to reach Ann Mary on the phone, reached the apartment and found her dead with stab wounds.
According to the victim’s family, Ann Mary had issues with the suspect over a job-related matter. However, the exact motive behind the murder is under investigation.
Minister Suresh Gopi told the media that the deaths have been confirmed as homicides. Since the investigation has not been completed, the minister said it cannot be confirmed when the remains will be handed over to the relatives in the US.
"I spoke with the Consul General at the Consulate located in San Francisco, which has jurisdiction over California, this morning at 7.25 am. According to what he informed me, orders have been issued to the funeral homes handling funeral services to proceed with all the required documentation to send the mortal remains to their home country," he said.
Ann Mary was a software engineer and had been living in the US for around 10 years. She was married to Kottayam native Jacob and had two children, aged twelve and five. Anjana was a school teacher and moved to the US in 2021 with her husband Vijesh and their six-year-old daughter.
