The murder of a Latvian woman in Kovalam was noticed internationally. The body was found in a decomposed state after a month. With this, the incident gained a lot of news. The police started to conduct a systematic investigation only when the sister of the murdered woman disclosed the bad experiences she faced initially from the state police. After interrogating several people, the police arrested the accused within two weeks of finding the body.

It was found that the woman was brutally raped four times before she was killed. According to the prosecution, when the Latvian woman reached Kovalam from Pothencode, the accused lured her by pretending to be tourist guides and took her to the mangrove forest near Vazhamuttom. After getting her drugged, they raped her and strangled her to death. The police also found that the accused had visited the spot several times to observe the area after the incident. The police and the prosecution faced many challenges during the investigation. Biological evidence was lost as the body was in a decomposed state. Circumstantial evidence and scientific investigation helped the police to nab the accused. The young woman, who had no experience of the place, could not have reached the mangrove forest alone. Further investigation by the police revolved around those people who occasionally visited this place. That is how the police were able to nab Umesh, the first accused, and Udayakumar, the second accused. Both of them were drug addicts and were accused in several cases, including sexual assault.

Although the accused claimed that they were not involved in the crime, it was found that the location of their mobile phones was near the place of the incident on the day of the incident. This case points out that the truth can be established by strongly arguing in court after collecting as much circumstantial evidence as possible even when witnesses turn hostile and eyewitnesses are absent. Additional Sessions Judge K Sanil Kumar sentenced both the accused to life imprisonment and a fine. The fact that the accused received exemplary punishment in this shocking incident indicates the victory of justice.

Special Prosecutor G Mohanraj, who brought the case to a successful conclusion, Fort AC JK Dinil, who led the case investigation, fifty policemen, who participated in the investigation, and ADGP Manoj Abraham, head of the investigation team, deserve appreciation. There were constant attempts to influence the witnesses. Ilsa, the younger sister of the foreign woman, said that she is happy with the verdict and that her sister received justice. She also said that she will come back to Kerala again. Her words are a testimony of the just conclusion of the case. She has also announced that she will write a book about her sister's disappearance and murder. The punishment meted out to the accused will be noticed internationally.

The court has also ruled that the government should pay Rs 10 lakhs as compensation to the younger sister of the murdered Latvian woman. The government should not delay payment of compensation on the ground that there will be an appeal in the case. The amount should be transferred as soon as possible.