Two Kerala friends dead, third arrested in Milpitas, California
Three Kerala women living in Milpitas celebrated Onam together in California. Two days later, two women were found dead and a third woman was arrested, with police investigating a linkage to a hit-and-run in the same parking area.
Key takeaways
- Three Kerala women living in the same California apartment complex were involved in a sequence of events beginning with Onam celebrations and ending with two deaths and an arrest.
- The scene included a reported hit-and-run in a parking lot and the discovery of one victim inside a flat, with a blue SUV implicated in the incident.
- Anila, 32, was arrested in connection with Anjana Hari’s death, while Ann Mary Mathew’s death is being treated as homicide by relatives; investigators are examining potential links between the deaths.
What Happened
The event centers on three women from Kerala who lived in the same apartment complex in Milpitas, California. After celebrating the Onam festival together, two days later authorities reported the deaths of two women. One woman was found in a parking lot after a reported hit-and-run, while another was found dead inside her flat. A 32-year-old woman, identified by authorities as Anila, was arrested in connection with Anjana Hari’s death. Police described the incident as an ongoing investigation with potential ties between the two deaths under examination.
The Milpitas police press release places the initial incident at Mill Creek Apartment, 440 Dixon Landing Road, where responders responded to a reported hit-and-run in the parking lot. Witnesses allegedly saw a blue SUV depart the area shortly after the event. When officers arrived, a 35-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later located a blue SUV with damage consistent with a collision in a nearby parking area and arrested the driver, a 32-year-old woman, in connection with the incident. The police communications noted that the overall circumstances and motive were still being determined.
In Kerala, families identified the deceased as Anjana Hari, 35, from Thrissur, and Ann Mary Mathew, 40, from Thiruvananthapuram. Local relatives indicated that authorities had confirmed the case of homicide regarding Ann Mary’s death, though official statements from Milpitas police had not specified this publicly.
Family members stated that Chief Minister V D Satheesan and a Union Minister of State had reached out to assist with repatriation arrangements for the bodies. The three women had been close friends and had socialized together prior to these events, including their Onam celebration the prior week.
Why It Matters
The case highlights a violent death within a community of expatriates from Kerala living in the United States and raises questions about possible motives and connections between the two fatalities. The ongoing police inquiry and the arrest linked to Anjana Hari’s death indicate authorities are examining whether the two incidents are related, with investigations extending to circumstances surrounding the hit-and-run and the subsequent homicide allegation.
Background
The victims and the suspect are all from Kerala and resided in the same California apartment complex. Details on the nature of their relationship prior to the incidents were not provided by the police in the public releases, but families described the trio as close friends who recently celebrated Onam together. The timeline centers on the August 28 reporting of the deaths, with the arrest of Anila following the earlier collision report.
Key Facts
- Location: Mill Creek Apartment, 440 Dixon Landing Road, Milpitas, California.
- Date of reported deaths: August 28 (reporting date cited by Indian Express as 2026).
- Victims named by Kerala family sources: Anjana Hari, 35, Thrissur; Ann Mary Mathew, 40, Thiruvananthapuram.
- Arrest: Anila, 32, a friend of the victims, arrested in connection with Anjana Hari’s death.
- Initial incident described as a hit-and-run in the parking lot; a blue SUV was identified as leaving the area and later found with collision damage.
- Police stance: The investigation is active and ongoing; motive and linkage between the two deaths are under examination.
- Family notes: Authorities reportedly told relatives in Kerala that Ann Mary’s death is being treated as homicide.
- Family supports repatriation efforts with involvement from state and central government officials.
What Happens Next
Authorities said additional information would be released as it becomes available and the investigation continues to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and any potential connection between the incidents.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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