US Crime: 2 Kerala Women Killed After Celebrating Onam With Friend

Two women from Kerala have died in a suspected homicide in Milpitas, California, days after they reportedly celebrated Onam with their families. The incident occurred on August 28 at the Mill Creek Apartments complex. Police have taken a 32-year-old woman, who was known to both victims and reportedly lived in the same complex, into custody.

The victims have been identified as Ann Mary Mathew, 40, originally from Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvananthapuram, and Anjana Hari, 35, from Mudikkode in Thrissur. According to Milpitas Police, officers were initially called following a hit-and-run report on Dixon Landing Road near the apartment complex. They found Anjana with severe injuries in the parking area, while witnesses reported that a blue SUV had left the scene.

Police later traced an SUV matching the description to a nearby parking area and arrested its 32-year-old driver. Relatives of the victims have identified the woman in custody as Anila, from Moonnilavu in Kottayam. She was reportedly acquainted with both women and lived in the same apartment complex with her family. Police have not yet established a motive or released detailed findings about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

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According to information received by the families from people in the US, Anila allegedly stabbed Ann inside an apartment before later striking Anjana with a vehicle in the parking area. These allegations have not been independently established, and investigators in California are continuing to examine the sequence of events. Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses and formal reports become available.

Anjana had moved to the United States in 2021 and worked as a school teacher in California. She is survived by her husband, Vijeesh, a software engineer, and their six-year-old daughter. Ann worked as a computer teacher and was married to Jacob, who is from Chingavanam. The couple had two daughters.

Union Minister Suresh Gopi confirmed the deaths on Monday and said efforts were underway to bring the women's bodies back to Kerala. Gopi said he had spoken with the Consul General at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and that the bodies were expected to be handed over after autopsies were completed. Gopi and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan have also spoken with the families, while officials await formal reports from US authorities before more details about the case are established.

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