Priyamvadha was murdered by her friend Vinod; body hidden under bed, mother-in-law's statement turns crucial

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A woman who had gone missing in Neyyattinkara has been murdered, with her neighbour confessing to the crime. Vinod, a native of Panchamkuzhi Maavuvila in Panachamoodu, has admitted to killing 48-year-old Priyamvadha. Police have taken both Vinod and his brother Santhosh into police custody.

Priyamvadha had been living alone after her husband abandoned her several years ago. She had been missing since Thursday. Her daughters filed a missing complaint with the police after being unable to contact her.

According to preliminary investigations, the motive behind the murder appears to be a financial dispute. Vinod allegedly owed money to Priyamvadha, and when she demanded repayment, an altercation broke out. On Thursday, Vinod reportedly entered her house and assaulted her, rendering her unconscious. When she regained consciousness, he allegedly strangled her and hid the body under a bed. Later that night, he is said to have buried the body in a pit next to the house.

A major breakthrough in the investigation came after Vinod's mother-in-law informed a local priest on Sunday that she suspected foul play. Vinod’s daughter had allegedly told her grandmother that she had seen a body under the bed. Subsequently, a soil-covered pit was discovered near Vinod’s residence. Further supporting the investigation, a neighbour named Saraswathi reported seeing bloodstains in the vicinity of the residence.