Published Sep 02, 2026 | 11:24 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 02, 2026 | 11:24 AM
Anila, Anjana Hari and Ann Mary Mathew were close friends.
Synopsis: Kerala native Anila Baby, arrested in connection with the alleged killing of two Malayali women in Milpitas, California, has been charged with murder. Court documents allege that the crime involved great violence and the use of a weapon, while its manner of execution indicated “planning, sophistication and professionalism.”
The investigations into the murder of two Malayali women living in the United States, allegedly by their neighbour and close friend, have revealed shocking details about the accused’s modus operandi.
According to the documents produced before the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, Kottayam native Anila Baby has been charged with murder for the crime involving “planning, sophistication and professionalism.”
Anila Baby (32) was arrested by the Milpitas Police on August 28, shortly after she allegedly committed the murders of two women, who were reportedly her close friends and lived in the same apartment complex in Milpitas.
One of them, Anjana Hari (35), was killed after being hit by a car driven by Anila, leading to her arrest by the police. The other woman, Ann Mary Mathew (40), was found dead in her apartment with stab wounds on her body.
The complaint filed before the court charged Anila Baby with the murder of Ann Mary Mathew. It alleged that Anila unlawfully and with malice aforethought killed a human being, thereby attracting charges under Section 187(a) of the California Penal Code.
The complaint also alleged that the commission of the crime involved great violence, great bodily harm and acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness. It claimed that the accused was armed with or used a weapon during the commission of the crime.
The most striking allegation in the court filing is that the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated “planning, sophistication and professionalism.”
The allegation has added a new and serious dimension to the investigation into the deaths of the two women.
Also Read: Irked by neighbour’s persistent coughing, Kasaragod man attacks him; victim sustains head injury
The case initially unfolded amid separate investigations by law enforcement agencies into two incidents reported in the area.
According to police, the incident happened around noon on August 28. The Milpitas Police Department was informed that a blue SUV had hit a woman and driven off in the parking lot of the Mill Creek Apartments on Dixon Landing Road. Anjana, who was critically injured in the incident, was pronounced dead upon the arrival of the police.
The Milpitas police identified a blue SUV suspected to have been involved in the incident and later traced it to Anila, who was arrested. According to police, the investigation remained active, and the circumstances leading to the collision were still being determined.
Ann Mary’s killing came to light when her husband reached the apartment after being informed about Anjana’s death. Her body was found inside the apartment with stab wounds. The case is being investigated by the San José Police Homicide Unit, which has ruled it a homicide and identified Anila as the suspect.
Anila, Anjana and Ann Mary were reportedly close friends and had attended an Onam celebration and watched a movie together the previous day.
The motive and the exact sequence of events surrounding the deaths continue to remain under investigation.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
