Published Sep 18, 2026 | 6:54 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 18, 2026 | 6:54 PM
Anila, Anjana Hari and Ann Mary Mathew were close friends.
The mortal remains of two Malayali women allegedly murdered in Milpitas, California, are likely to be brought to Kerala on September 21.
It is learnt that the flight carrying their bodies is expected to arrive at Cochin International Airport at 8.50 a.m.
According to NORKA, the respective families will arrange ambulances to transport the mortal remains from the airport to their respective homes.
The victims, Anjana Hari, 35, of Mudikkode in Thrissur, and Ann Mary Mathew, 40, of Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvananthapuram, were found murdered in California on August 28.
Their friend, Anila Baby, 32, a native of Kottayam, has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
While Anjana Hari’s funeral is scheduled to be held at her family home in Mudikkode, the final rites of Ann Mary are expected to be held at St Ignatius Church, Chingavanam.
Earlier, Baby was produced before a Santa Clara County court on September 10 after being charged in connection with the deaths.
Baby is being held without bail and is scheduled to enter a plea in court on November 17.
According to reports, Anjana Hari, Ann Mary and Anila Baby all lived in the Mill Creek Apartments complex on Dixon Landing Road. They were reportedly close friends and had attended an Onam celebration and watched a movie together the previous day.
Anjana Hari was killed after being hit by a car driven by Baby, leading to her arrest by the police. Ann Mary Mathew was found dead in her apartment with stab wounds on her body.
A witness told police that, moments before she was run over, Hari walked toward Baby’s SUV like she was about to get in. Hari was “smiling and seemed to be friendly with the driver,” a police report states.
The witness also said, “They did not appear to be arguing or having any type of problem with each other. The victim appeared to be happy. When the victim walked in front of the Toyota, the vehicle suddenly accelerated from a stopped position and struck (Hari).”
The motive and the exact sequence of events surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
