KOLLAM: A housewife who went missing a week ago was found murdered in the railway quarters near Chemmanmukku, Kollam. The deceased has been identified as Uma Prasanna (32), who lives in a rented house in Kottankara. Following a subsequent investigation, the police took one person into custody in connection with the murder. The accused is Anchal native Nasu (24).

Uma's body was found on Tuesday evening in the railway quarters located opposite the Bharatha Rajni Parish Hall on the Railway Station-Chemmanmukku road. The body was lying on the ground in the back room of the quarters. The body, which was naked, had deep wounds. A dry blood stain was found on the floor. It is suspected that the woman was sexually tortured before she was killed. The body was found during an inspection after a foul smell rose from the quarters.

The Kottiyam police had taken Nasu into custody on December 31 during patrolling after they saw him hiding behind a shop at Punthalathazham. They released him the next day after seizing a phone from him. Later, it was found that the phone belonged to Uma. But there was no SIM. After finding that Uma was killed, the Anchal police took Nasu into custody and handed him over to the Kollam East police. Although Nasu is claiming that he did not murder Uma, the police are yet to take his words into confidence. The police suspect that some other people also came to the quarters apart from Nasu.

The police dog squad and the forensic team reached the spot and collected evidence. A team led by Kollam DCRB ACP is investigating the case. The body was cremated after post-mortem at Parippally Medical College. Husband- Late Biju. Children Nandana (7) and Nidhi (3).