THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The statement of the accused in the murder case of Athira, wife of a temple priest in Kadinamkulam, has surfaced. The accused and her lover Johnson slashed her throat while having sex with her. He then escaped wearing her husband's shirt. Johnson told police that he killed her for trying to avoid him. However, the police also suspect financial transactions.

Athira (30) of Venjaramoodu was found murdered at 11.30 am on Tuesday. Athira's husband Rajeev, is a priest of the Bharanikad temple in Kadinamkulam. Johnson was caught from Chingavanam in Kottayam yesterday. The accused has been admitted to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital after his statement of having consumed poison at that time. After treatment, he will be brought to Kadinamkulam and will be questioned in detail then.

The accused, who was staying in a lodge in Perumathura, reached the premises of her house at 6.30 am on the day of the incident. Johnson was around the premises of her house waiting for her husband and children to leave. He entered her house at around 9 am. He then asked Athira to make him a tea and when she went to the kitchen, he took the knife and hid it under the mattress of the bed. While the two were having sex, Johnson took the knife and slashed her on her neck. After slashing her, he pulled the knife out and slit her throat, he told police. As his shirt was stained with blood, he returned wearing her husband's shirt. He took Athira's scooter and reached Chirayinkeezhu railway station and after leaving the vehicle there, he boarded a train to Kottayam.

Johnson was Athira’s Instagram friend and they were in a relationship for the past one year. Their friendship started by sharing reels. There were some financial dealings between the two. The investigation team also found that Athira had initially given Johnson around Rs one lakh. He had borrowed money from her three days before the murder. He threatened her by showing her private pictures. He also forced Athira to leave her husband and go with him. When she refused, he killed her. The police believe that this could be the reason to commit the murder.

He regularly visited her in Kadinamkulam. The police said that her husband knew her relationship with Johnson.