KOZHIKODE: A Catholic housewife of a reputed family in Kerala was arrested for allegedly masterminding the silent deaths of six members over 14 years.
According to media reports, the arrest comes a day after Kerala cops exhume bodies of the members of the Ponnamattom family from their graves in north Kerala.
Lid Over Mysterious Deaths Lifted
All the deaths took place in Kozhikode between 2002 and 2016 at different times but in the same manner.
The lid over the mysterious deaths lifted a day after Kerala police detained the family’s daughter-in-law Jolly Thomas, former wife of deceased Roy Thomas–who died mysteriously in 2011.
The 47-year-old woman at the center of the case is accused of killing her kin with cyanide-laced food over the years.
Confession Of Crime
According to the police, Jolly, who made meticulous plans has confessed to the crime along with two more accused in connection with this case — MS Matthew and Prajikumar.
During interrogation, Jolly was asked to undergo a lie-detector test which she refused on health grounds.
Motives Behind The Murders
Jolly’s fabricating fake will documents over the ownership of the family property was suspected in the deaths.
The case came to light after late Tom’s younger son, an NRI based in the US suspected foul play and lodged a complaint with the police following the Jolly’s claim.