Kerala village in disbelief after former resident charged in US killings
A Kottayam village is reeling after Anila, a former resident, was arrested in California for allegedly killing two Keralite women.
The quiet village of Tazhakkavayal near Erattupetta in Kottayam district is struggling to process the news that Anila, a former resident, has been arrested in the United States on charges of murdering two Keralite women in Milpitas, California.
For those who knew her, the allegations stand in stark contrast to the person they remember. Anila was widely regarded as calm, soft-spoken, and cordial. Neighbours and relatives say they have never heard a negative word about her or her family, who enjoyed considerable goodwill in the area.
Anila hails from Moonnilavu panchayat and comes from a financially stable family. She completed an engineering degree at Bharananganam before moving to the US roughly four years ago. Her parents had joined her in America a couple of months ago, and her brother is settled in Canada, leaving the family home in the village vacant.
Those close to the family say they were unaware of any significant difficulties she may have faced, though reports suggest a possible job loss could have been a trigger. Locals, however, find it hard to believe that such a setback could lead to such extreme actions.
Adding to the disbelief is the apparent closeness between Anila and the victims. Residents note that Anila and the two women had recently gone to the movies together and celebrated Onam as recently as last week. "It is really hard to believe that everything could have changed in a single night," one local remarked, echoing the sentiment of a community left searching for answers.