Married dance teacher strangled to death at Thrissur hotel; police say marriage demand by lover led to murder

THRISSUR: Police have confirmed that the death of a woman found at a hotel in Cheruthuruthi, Thrissur, was a case of murder. The victim has been identified as Dhanalakshmi (56), a dance teacher from Vengara in Malappuram district. The accused, Vigeesh, a native of Thenhippalam in Malappuram, surrendered before the Thenhippalam Police.

Dhanalakshmi was found dead on Wednesday afternoon at Hanna Residency in Cheruthuruthi. Police reached the hotel and conducted a preliminary inspection. Shortly afterwards, Vigeesh surrendered before the Thenhippalam Police.

According to the police, Vigeesh and Dhanalakshmi had been in a relationship for several years. The accused allegedly strangled her to death while under the influence of alcohol after she insisted that he marry her. Police said the dispute over marriage was the motive behind the killing.

Dhanalakshmi was married and the mother of two children. As she frequently travelled outside the state to teach dance, her family had not become concerned about her absence, police said.

After the incident, Vigeesh returned to his hometown and informed his sister about the crime. She reportedly advised him to surrender before the police. Acting on information received from the Thenhippalam Police, the Cheruthuruthi Police inspected the hotel room and recovered the body.

The body has been shifted to a hospital for post-mortem examination. Police said an investigation into the incident is underway.