Mass murders are not new to Kerala. They remain talking points for a while, and are forgotten until a new case shocks the collective conscience. The psychology of the perpetrators of the crimes are seldom discussed or studied. However, with changing times and external influences on the youth, it is high time that Kerala took a serious look beyond the surface.
Published Feb 28, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 28, 2025 | 9:57 AM
'Ripper' Jayanandan, Jolly Joseph, Cadell Jeanson Raja and AR Afan.
Synopsis: The nature of serial killings, methods, contributing factors, and even the age of the perpetrators have undergone a significant shift. Cases of Afan, Koodathayi Jolly, Cadell Jeanson Raja, ‘Ripper’ Jayanandan, and Soumya of Pinarayi stand out as some of the most disturbing crimes the state has witnessed. In each of these grisly acts, fear, faith, and the complexities of the human mind have played crucial roles.
It was disbelief at first for the officers at the Venjaramoodu police station, who initially suspected the growing influence of drugs when the visitor, a well-groomed youngster, made an announcement that later shocked Kerala’s collective conscience.
“I have killed five or six people,” the youth announced nonchalantly. Minutes ago, he had alighted from an autorickshaw, paid the fare, and crossed the road to the police station. In between, he did not forget to greet an acquaintance.
It was a normal evening at the police station till the man, soon identified as 23-year-old AR Afan, sauntered in. He even informed the police of the locations where he had struck in six hours on Monday, 24 February.
The locations mentioned were spread over the jurisdictional areas of three police stations. Messages were sent over wireless sets, and soon grisly details of bloodied scenes started pouring into the Venjaramoodu police station from three locations.
The mass murder at Venjaramoodu shocked Kerala, as did earlier ones reported from Koodathayi in Kozhikode, Pinarayi in Kannur, Nanthencode in Thiruvananthapuram and one involving ‘Ripper’ Jayanandan.
Each serial murder revealed different methods and motives. They silently spoke about fear, faith, greed, lust — and complexities of the human mind.
Afan’s alleged murderous run began at 10:15 am at Perumala, Venjaramoodu when he strangulated his mother Shemi, a 47-year-old cancer patient, with a shawl and hit her, reportedly, after a quarrel over money. He then left home for a bar at Venjaramoodu.
Reports said he believed that Shemi had died. The woman, however, escaped death and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Even as he was ‘chilling’ at the bar, life was usual for his grandmother Salma Beevi, paternal uncle Abdul Latheef, and his wife Sajida Begum. Afan’s 13-year-old brother Afzan was at school, oblivious of his elder sibling’s diabolic plan.
The youth’s reported girlfriend, 19-year-old Farzana, too, did not suspect anything amiss.
However, Afan had by then made plans. He bought a 27-mm iron hammer from a market three kilometres away and rode his bike 15 kilometers to Pangodu, where Salma Beevi, 95, lived. She was bludgeoned to death around 12.40 pm.
Afan’s next stop was at Koonanvenga, 14 kilometers away, where he killed his uncle Latheef and aunt Sajida.
He waited at home for his brother Afzan, who arrived after school. The older sibling arranged an autorickshaw for the teen to buy his favourite kuzhimanthi and fruit juice.
Meanwhile, an unsuspecting Farzana reached Afan’s residence.
Afzan did not get the opportunity to have the kuzhimandhi. Back home, he was apparently dragged inside and clobbered to death. Afzan’s schoolbag was still on the verandah when the police arrived.
Inside the house, Farzana — her skull shattered — sat still on a chair amid blood splattered on the floor and the wall. Afan had earlier phoned her and picked up the young woman from Venjaramoodu.
After the murder series, Afan took a shower, changed the dress, and took an autorickshaw to the police station. In between, he had gulped liquor mixed with rat poison, but not enough to kill him.
At the police station, he mentioned ingesting poison and was shifted to a hospital.
Investigators are now trying to connect the dots though Afan told them he killed his relatives due to the family’s financial struggle. His father Abdul Rahim has run into huge debts after his business in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, went south.
Rahim is now stranded in Dammam. He cannot return until he clears the debts to get his iqama (residence permit) renewed. He had stopped sending money home long ago.
Shemi has incurred a debt of ₹65 lakh, most of which was sent to Rahim to clear his debts. On regaining consciousness, she enquired about Afzan and told investigators that she suffered injuries after falling off the bed — an apparent bid to save her son — oblivious to Afan’s confession and the blood trail he had left.
Afan, who reportedly took away his grandmother’s gold, pawned it and cleared a minuscule part of the family’s debt. Police have found digital records of the man transferring ₹40,000.
US author Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood details the 1959 gruesome murders of the Clutter family in a small farming community in Holcomb, Kansas.
A must-read for journalism students, especially those interested in New Journalism, the non-fiction novel’s cinematic adaptation won four Academy nominations.
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times lauded it an “excellent quasi-documentary, which sends shivers down the spine while moving the viewer to ponder”.
Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case which premiered on Netflix on 22 December 2023 was a similar true crime-based documentary. It unraveled a series of deaths reported between 2002 and 2016 from Koodathayi in Kerala’s Kozhikode district.
If two strangers were responsible for the Holcomb killings, an insider was among those arrested for the Koodathayi deaths — including that of a two-year-old girl — Christopher Tomy documented in Curry and Cyanide.
At the center of the six deaths was Jolly Joseph, a housewife and mother, arrested on 5 October 2019. She was 47 when arrested from Pattathanam House.
In Kerala, the case is known as the Koodathayi cyanide killings.
The alleged murders began in 2002 with the death of her mother-in-law, Annamma Thomas, followed by her father-in-law, husband, a relative, and finally, the wife and child of her second husband Shaju.
Police allege that Jolly’s had multiple motives, eliminating obstacles to wealth, silencing suspicions, and securing a more desirable marriage.
For years, Jolly had maintained a facade of respectability, even masquerading as a college lecturer. Despite cyanide being found in her husband Roy’s autopsy, his death was initially considered a suicide.
The case unraveled when Roy’s brother Rojo raised suspicions, leading to the exhumation of six bodies and confirming murder.
Jolly and her three accomplices were arrested and charged with homicide, conspiracy, and forgery. Her attempts to get discharged were rejected by courts, and in 2023, a witness testified that she had confessed to the crimes.
The case is under trial at the Kozhikode Additional Sessions Court.
The term astral projection gained significant attention in Kerala following the Nanthancode massacre in Thiruvananthapuram.
Cadell Jeanson Raja, the accused, was charged with murdering his father, A Raja Thankam, 60, mother Dr Jean Padma, 58, sister Caroline, 26, and a visually-impaired relative, Lalitha, 70.
The bodies of three victims were found burned, while the fourth body was wrapped in a bedsheet. Authorities believe all four were bludgeoned to death.
Cadell was apprehended on 10 April 2017, two days after the crime came to light. During the investigation, he claimed belief in parapsychology and astral projection that influenced his actions.
However, the police team, led by then Cantonment Assistant Commissioner KE Baiju, dismissed his statements as an attempt to evade conviction.
Cadell was admitted multiple times to the Mental Health Centre at Oolampara near Peroorkkada with symptoms of schizophrenia between 2017 and 2024.
Vannathamveettil Soumya of Pinarayi in Kannur was found hanging dead from a cashew tree on the Women’s Prison premises on 20 April 2018. She was arrested on charges of fatally poisoning her nine-year-old daughter and aged parents.
Earlier in 2012, Soumya’s one-year-old daughter had died following a bout of vomiting. A post-mortem examination was not conducted since it was considered a natural death.
On 21 January 2018, her eldest daughter died after exhibiting the same symptoms. Still, no one suspected foul play.
However, the deaths of her parents Kamala, 65, and Kunhikannan, 80, in quick succession — on 7 March and 13 April 2018 — sent alarm bells ringing.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Soumya, then aged 30. It was alleged that she fed food laced with rat poison to her child and parents to continue an illicit relationship unquestioned.
The case grabbed much media attention since it happened in Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s hometown.
Serial killer Jack the Ripper remains unidentified much beyond his active period of August to November 1888, when several ripped-up bodies — mostly of prostitutes — appeared on the streets of London’s impoverished Whitechapel district.
Kerala, however, has an identified ‘Ripper’ though he did not engage in abdominal mutilations like his globally notorious English counterpart(s).
KP Jayanandan, infamously known as ‘Ripper’ Jayanandan, is a serial killer from Thrissur, accused of seven brutal murders committed during 35 robberies across Thrissur and Ernakulam districts.
His crimes, spanning from 2003 to 2005, involved violent break-ins, during which he killed victims with iron rods and crowbars.
Convicted for multiple murders, including a double homicide in Perinjanam (2004), he was sentenced to death in 2008 and imprisoned at Poojappura Central Jail. The death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment without parole.
In June 2013, he made a daring escape but was recaptured from near his home village, Mala, in Thrissur in September of the same year near Thrissur.
A March 2023 news article presented Jayanandan’s claims of being framed. However, his conviction still stands, and he remains one of Kerala’s most notorious criminals.
Superintendent of Police (Retd) George Joseph wondered about the development of a criminal mentality in 23-year-old Afan when he heard about the Venjaramoodu mass murder.
Speaking to South First, the former officer pointed out that Afan took a non-lethal dose of rat poison after committing the murders.
“It was similar to his past attempt to die by suicide, protesting against his parents’ refusal to buy him a mobile phone,” Joseph said.
An autorickshaw driver who took him to the police station said he appeared calm and engrossed in his phone during the ride.
Joseph stressed the need for a thorough probe into Afan’s digital engagements, suspecting exposure to crime content may have influenced him.
Comparing previous cases, Joseph pointed out that crimes like Koodathayi serial killing and that of ‘Ripper’ had clear financial motives, whereas cases involving Prajin of Vellarada and Cadell were different.
Prajin Jose, 28, hacked his father Jose to death at their house at Kiliyoor in Vellarada, in Thiruvananthapuram, on 5 February 2025. Prajin, who pursued a MBBS degree in China, later signed up for a film course in Kochi.
His mother Sushma told the police that Prajin’s behaviour changed after joining the course. He also practised black magic, she said. Sushma was reportedly attending an online prayer meeting when the patricide was committed.
Referring to Afan’s casual visit to a bar for a drink, Joseph expressed suspicion that he is a “digital-addict criminal”.
Dr Jostin Francis, Consultant Psychiatrist at Government Hospital in Kalpetta, Wayanad, refused comment on the “still developing” Venjaramoodu mass murder case.
However, he shared insights into the rising trend of crimes committed under the influence of banned substances in Kerala.
Cannabis and MDMA are the most commonly used drugs among youth in the state, he told South First. However, what is sold as MDMA in Kerala is often crystal meth.
The traditional dominance of nicotine and alcohol is now being replaced by cannabis and meth, especially among those under 25.
Cannabis, being a hallucinogen, can trigger psychotic symptoms in two key ways: In individuals with a genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the use of hallucinogens can unmask these conditions, and two, substance-induced psychosis can lead to unpredictable behavior and criminal acts.
Long-term substance use may also result in amotivation syndrome, cognitive decline, and increased criminal tendencies. Cannabis often serves as a gateway drug, escalating the risk of further substance abuse.
Additionally, drugs can amplify violent tendencies in individuals with antisocial personality disorder.
Dr Francis also emphasised the role of media and entertainment in shaping young minds. Movies like Marco, which glorifies crime, gang wars, and the use of lethal weapons, influence youth through social modeling.
The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, responsible for logical and analytical thinking, fully matures in the brain only by the age of 24 or 25. Exposure to violent glorification at a young age can shape criminal thought patterns, leading to symbolic problem-solving and even committing copycat crimes.
When individuals with a predisposed criminal mindset consume media content about a particular crime, they may be influenced to replicate similar acts.
A senior psychiatrist from Kochi pointed out the limitations of psychiatric treatments, especially for individuals with antisocial personality disorder. Often, they cannot be fully rehabilitated.
Adding a social perspective, Jasmin Mary John, a psychiatric social worker at Kozhikode-based MHAT, a charitable trust, underscored the importance of analysing the accused’s narrative, even if it is false, to understand the deeper psychological and societal influences.
She told South First that in cases like the Venjaramoodu mass murder, patriarchy might have played a crucial role.
“In many Indian families, the eldest son often feels responsible for the family’s financial burdens, even if the family does not explicitly demand it. This internalised social conditioning can lead to severe psychological stress and, in some cases, violent outbursts,” she said.
Dr Sany Varghese, President of the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists, Kerala Region, found some comments glorifying the reported statement of the mother in the Venjaramoodu mass murder case problematic.
Speaking to South First, Dr Varghese particularly pointed out the mother’s statement about her sustaining injuries.
Many described it as a sign of a mother’s unconditional love, but Dr Varghese warned that this is not normal behavior.
“This indicates that she is still unwilling to correct his behavior. We should not glorify or normalise it. Perhaps she has failed multiple times to correct him. A medical team must thoroughly analyse the relationship between Afan and his parents to find the real problems he faced,” she said.
Meanwhile, Fr Dr Boby Xavier, Assistant Professor at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences and Consultant Psychologist and Psychotherapist at St. Joseph Hospital, Manjummel, offered a different perspective.
He told South First that certain crimes go unnoticed for their deeper connections.
Fr Xavier pointed out the growing influence of Satanic groups and drug mafias working together, one for financial gain, the other for spreading a new cult.
He referred to the Vellarada Jose murder case. “The diabolic presence is evident in this case. The weapons he used were similar to those associated with witchcraft. These groups also promote substance abuse, as seen in Prajin’s case. Ritualistic elements like removing body hair were also part of these practices,” he explained.
Prajin had mutilated his father’s body after murdering him.
Fr. Boby Xavier further warned that such influences are not limited to isolated cases.
“In the US, Satanic churches operate openly, and through online platforms, youth are easily drawn into cult adaptations. To find acceptance in such groups, individuals must commit heinous crimes, often targeting their own families in brutal ways,” he said.
The problem is, that police investigations focus only on aspects like substance abuse. They dismiss the possibility of global diabolic influence with one word, ‘superstition’. But if we dig deeper, we will find that such groups exist in our state as well,” he said.
A leading parapsychologist from Kochi echoed similar concerns, questioning why law enforcement agencies ignore belief-based aspects of such crimes.
“Take Cadell’s case. His crimes were purely diabolic. He studied abroad and may have been influenced by such cults before becoming addicted to substances and committing brutal murders,” she opined.
President of the Indian Criminology and Forensic Science Association and Faculty at St Thomas College, Thrissur, Dr Febin Baby told South First that except in the case of Jayanandan, a common factor in the crimes is the tendency to bypass stress through violence.
However, each crime occurred under different circumstances, making heinous murders unique.
“In Jolly’s case, she had endured prolonged strain, and her criminal tendencies, including habitual lying, developed from childhood. On the other hand, the Venjaramoodu case was particularly gruesome,” he said.
“The exposure the perpetrator received, possibly from movies or online games, could have played a role. Regardless of the motive, Afan’s modus operandi was brutal. While many who commit murder eventually experience guilt, Afan, in contrast, ate, freshened up, and carried on himself during the crimes, highlighting a shift in crime patterns,” he added.
Dr Baby further said strain, frustration, mood disorders, and even digital addiction contribute to stress, turning individuals into ticking timebombs.
“In films like Aavesham, audiences glorify protagonists with negative traits, further complicating societal perceptions of crime and morality,” he added.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
