KOCHI: The accused Akhil who killed Kalady native Athira in Thumboormuzhi forest had stolen chain from the dead body. He stole Athira’s one-and-a-half sovereign chain after the murder and pawned it at a private shop in Angamaly.

Meanwhile, the police have intensified the investigation into the incident. The police will immediately take Akhil into custody for evidence collection. The police are investigating whether the accused Akhil had taken gold or money from any other women like Athira. The police will soon file a custody application. Akhil has given a statement to the police that he pawned the gold he bought from Athira earlier. The accused will be taken into custody for the recovery of these ornaments.

Athira, who went missing a week ago from Kalady, was found murdered in the Athirapilly forest on Friday. Athira, wife of Angamaly native Sanal, was killed by her friend Akhil and the body was dumped in forest. The police had arrested Akhil, a native of Idukki, yesterday itself.

The victim Athira and the accused Akhil were in a relationship for the last six months. Both were employees of the same supermarket. Akhil told the police that the argument over the return of borrowed gold led to the murder. The investigation also revealed that five sovereigns of gold ornaments were missing from Athira's house.