THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The accused in the murder case of Athira of Kadinamkulam, has been identified. The accused is Johnson Ousep of Chellanam. Johnson is a physiotherapist who is engaged in doing reels on Instagram. The police have started a search for him.
Johnson was the woman's Instagram friend. He had taken a SIM card using the ID proof of his friend in Kollam. Johnson Ousep is a native of Dalavapuram in Kollam. He married a woman from Chellanam and had settled there. He has been living in Kollam and Kochi after divorcing his wife three years ago.
Meantime, the house where the murder was committed is next to the temple where Athira's husband Rajesh is a priest. He did not know that someone had entered his house in broad daylight. It was her husband who saw Athira's body first and then informed the police. Since there are contradictions in his statements, the police may summon him again for further questioning. A clarity will be obtained in the case after grilling her husband again and by finding Johnson.
Police said Athira was threatened by her friend several times as the friendship took a different level. He threatened her to leave her husband and come with him. The police conclude that the same threat and argument led to the murder.
Athira's scooter, which the accused took after the murder, was found abandoned in the vicinity of Chirayinkeezhu railway station. Therefore, it is suspected that the accused had boarded the train. Her husband said Athira had told him about this friend seven months ago. Yet, the husband has not inquired further about the friend or her relationship with him. The fact that Rajesh has not asked about the name or address of this friend also makes the police suspicious.