Woman's murder in Omanappuzha: Mother and uncle arrested following father's confession

ALAPPUZHA: In a chilling development in the murder of 28-year-old Angel Jasmin, the Mannancherry police have arrested her mother and maternal uncle in connection with the crime. Angel, a lab technician at a private hospital, was allegedly strangled to death by her father, Josemon (also known as Francis, 53), at their residence in the 15th ward of Omanappuzha.

The police on Thursday took Jesimol (also known as Sindhu, 51), Angel’s mother, into custody for aiding in the murder by restraining her daughter during the assault. Her maternal uncle, Aloshious Peter (52) of Mavelithayyil house in Pathirappally, was arrested for allegedly concealing information about the crime.

Angel had been living separately from her husband for the past six months at her family home in Omanappuzha's 15th ward. On Tuesday, following a dispute with her parents after returning from work, she left home around 9 PM on a scooter. When she returned an hour later, another argument broke out. During the scuffle, her father Francis (Josemon, 53) allegedly strangled her, while Jesimol held her hands. Angel fell unconscious, after which the father used a towel to further tighten her neck, leading to her death.

Aloshious reportedly arrived at the house around midnight after being informed about the incident, but left without taking any action. The murder came to light only after the police reached the scene and began an investigation.

Though Francis confessed to the murder, police grew suspicious about Jesimol’s role since neither the father nor daughter had any physical injuries or signs of struggle. The absence of even a scratch on Francis's body further raised doubts about Jesimol's involvement in the murder. Aloshious had allegedly asked a local ward member not to report the death to the police, which added to the suspicion.

Jesimol and Aloshious were summoned to the Mannancherry police station on Thursday morning for questioning, after which they were arrested. The towel used for the murder was recovered from the shed roof adjacent to the house. All three accused have been remanded by the judicial magistrate. Angel was buried at St. Francis Xavier Church, Omanappuzha.

'We wished she were dead,' say parents
During interrogation, the parents reportedly admitted that they had often wished for Angel’s death, as she frequently caused trouble both at her own and her husband's home. They claimed that Angel suffered from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which led to frequent mood swings and anger. The family also alleged she had a habit of going out on scooter rides at night with friends. “She never listened to anyone,” Francis told the media during a crime scene reconstruction. The investigation is ongoing, and police are continuing to gather more details surrounding the motive and events leading up to the murder.