Karunagappally police, investigating the disappearance of Vijayalakshmi, a resident of Kulasekharapuram, uncovered her remains on Tuesday from a construction site in Karoor, Ambalappuzha.
The discovery followed the detention of Jayachandran (50), a local resident, after a complaint from Vijayalakshmi’s family about her disappearance.
The body was found buried in a pit near Jayachandran’s house. Police are working to recover the remains fully for forensic examination and autopsy. Vijayalakshmi was last seen on November 6, and police are piecing together the details of the crime.
Jayachandran, reportedly in frequent contact with Vijayalakshmi, allegedly confessed to killing her during interrogation. He admitted being influenced by the plot of the movie Drishyam, which he had watched multiple times.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Vijayalakshmi, estranged from her husband and living with her two children in Karunagappally, had been in communication with Jayachandran. Four days before her disappearance, Jayachandran reportedly invited her to Ambalappuzha, where they visited a temple before going to his house.
A dispute arose between them over a phone call Vijayalakshmi received, which led Jayachandran to allegedly strike her on the head with a plier, killing her. He then buried her body in a nearby plot.
Adding to suspicions, Vijayalakshmi’s phone was found on a KSRTC bus in Ernakulam. Police also discovered charred clothing near an under-construction house close to Jayachandran’s residence.
Local residents described Jayachandran as a boat worker who moved to the area with his family about 18 months ago. Known to keep to himself, he had no close connections within the community.
The police are continuing their investigation to uncover further details and establish a complete timeline of events. The case underscores the chilling impact of crime-inspired media on impressionable individuals.
