Kerala horror: Missing 66-year-old woman killed for gold nose studs, say police

A 66-year-old woman missing from Kerala's Palakkad since June 10 was allegedly murdered for her two gold nose studs. Police arrested a local youth and detained a juvenile, alleging they killed, burnt and buried the victim to destroy evidence

Palakkad: The disappearance of a 66-year-old woman from Kozhinjampara in Palakkad has culminated in the unravelling of a gruesome murder, with police alleging that she was killed, her body burnt and later buried by two local youths who targeted her for the two gold nose studs she was wearing.

The victim, Sarasammal of Attayampathy, had been missing since June 10. After weeks of investigation, the Kozhinjampara Police cracked the case and took a local youth into custody.

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During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the chilling crime, leading investigators to reconstruct the sequence of events. According to police, the accused, aided by a 17-year-old boy who has also been taken into custody, entered the woman’s house with the intention of stealing her jewellery.

When Sarasammal resisted, she was allegedly assaulted and repeatedly slashed with a weapon before being robbed of her two gold nose studs.

Investigators said the duo then attempted to erase all traces of the crime. Sarasammal’s body was allegedly placed inside a drum in the house and set ablaze. After the body was partially burnt, it was taken away and buried.

Police said the confession by the main accused proved crucial in uncovering the crime and recovering key evidence. The exact sequence of events and the juvenile’s role are being verified through scientific evidence and forensic examination.

Investigators are also probing whether the murder was pre-planned or whether the robbery escalated into homicide after the victim resisted. Further evidence, including the stolen ornaments and the weapon allegedly used in the attack, is being traced.

The shocking brutality of the crime, allegedly committed for two small pieces of jewellery, has stunned residents of Kozhinjampara and neighbouring areas. Police said that further investigation is in progress and that additional charges may be filed as more evidence emerges in the case.