PALAKKAD: A woman missing since March 17 from Kollam was found murdered and buried near her rented house in Palakkad. The body was that of Suchitra (42) of Kottiyam in Kollam.

The police has taken into custody a youth hailing from Kozhikode in connection with the incident. Kollam district crime branch team probing the case reached the spot and examined.

She was a beautician at a private firm in Kollam. She left for home on March 17 saying that her mother-in-law in Alappuzha is sick. Her family lodged a complaint at the Kottiyam police station as there were no information about her after that.

The family was staying at a house near a housing colony at Manali in Palakkad. The body was found buried near the wall adjacent to the house. Forensic team also examined the spot. The youth has confessed to the crime, the police said.