Mystery swirls over California killings; Two Malayali women murdered after celebrating Onam together

CALIFORNIA: The murder of two Malayali women in USA by a female friend, remains shrouded in mystery. The dead have been identified as Annie Jacob (35), wife of Jacob (Mithun) of Pallathara House, Kurichy, Kottayam, and a native of Thiruvananthapuram, and Anjana Vijeesh (35), daughter of Haridas and Sushama of Thekkoot House, Pananchery, Mudikkode, Pattikkad, Thrissur. Their friend Anila has been taken into police custody in connection with the incident.

The accused Anila had happily joined Annie and Anjana for the Onam celebrations on Friday. The three had also shared photos from the celebrations on social media. Many have doubts whether it was only frustration over losing her job that prompted Anila to kill her two best friends. Police said a comprehensive investigation into the case is underway.

The murders were committed in Milpitas, California, on Friday. Initial reports say, Anjana was called downstairs from her apartment and was killed after being hit by a car. The vehicle reportedly fled the scene without stopping. Meanwhile, Annie's husband Jacob tried calling her for picking up their younger daughter from school. When she did not answer the phone, he went to the apartment and found her stabbed to death in the bathroom.

Annie and her husband Jacob had been living in California for the past eight years. They have two daughters, Andreena, 10, and Alisa, 5. Annie's funeral will be held later. Anjana and her husband Vijeesh had also been living in California for eight years. They have a daughter, Vamika.

Jacob's relatives said that all three women were close friends. Annie and Jacob work in the IT sector. Annie had secured a job and received her work permit only two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Anila had lost her job in the United States. The preliminary suspicion is that the frustration arising from her job loss may have been behind the murders.

Meantime, Union Minister Suresh Gopi contacted Anjana's family and enquired about the situation.