THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A recent report claimed that the accused in the Vineetha murder case was a serious offender. Rajendra alias Rajesh was a convict in a twin murder case.

He was convicted in the 2014 murder of a customs officer and his wife. He committed the murders during a robbery attempt. Following this, he served a prison sentence. Upon getting released from prison, he got involved in several crimes, the report said.

His method is to kill anyone who tries to retaliate or defend themselves during a robbery. He was named in the rowdy list in Tamil Nadu. Rajendra arrived in Thiruvananthapuram in December. He worked in a tea shop in Peroorkada under the name Rajesh. He always carried a knife with him.

He reached the nursery, where Vineetha was working, asking for a pot. He was not able to give a proper answer when she asked him what kind of pot he wanted. With this, Vineetha became suspicious. He attacked her when she began to scream. He then took her gold chain and fled the scene after confirming her death. The murder took place last Sunday.