By News18
A deeply disturbing case of domestic violence has shaken the Omanapuzha village of Mararikulam South in Kerala鈥檚 Alappuzha district, where a 28-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her father following a dispute over her late-night outings.
The victim, Angel Jasmine, a lab technician employed at a private hospital in Alappuzha, was found dead in her family home in the 15th ward of the Mararikulam South Panchayat on Tuesday night. Her father, 53-year-old Francis, known locally as Josmon, was taken into custody by the Mannancherry police after reportedly confessing to the crime.
According to preliminary police investigations, tensions had been simmering in the Kudiyamsery household for some time due to Angel鈥檚 habit of going out at night, a lifestyle choice that her father reportedly disapproved of. Some neighbours had also expressed their displeasure to Francis, allegedly adding fuel to his resentment.
On Tuesday night, Angel reportedly left home around 9 pm on her scooty and returned by 10:30 pm. Soon after, an argument broke out between her father and her, which escalated into a physical confrontation. In a chilling sequence of events, Francis allegedly first strangled her in a fit of rage during the argument. When Angel fell unconscious, he reportedly ordered his family members, including his wife Sindhu, father Xavier, and mother Susie, to leave the room. He then used a rope to finish the act, ensuring her death, police said.
The family remained inside the house through the night, paralysed by fear and disbelief. It wasn鈥檛 until around 6 am on Wednesday, July 2, that the incident came to light. Neighbours were alerted by loud cries from the house and rushed over, only to be told that Angel was 鈥渘ot moving鈥. By then, her lifeless body lay on the bed.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after and began questioning the family members individually. During interrogation, Francis is said to have confessed that he strangled Angel using a rope after a heated altercation. A scar on Angel鈥檚 neck had already raised suspicions, which were later confirmed through forensic examination.
While Francis has been arrested, police are also considering making his wife, Sindhu, a co-accused, given that she was present during the incident and failed to report it. Mannancherry Police Inspector Tolson P Joseph is leading the investigation.
Angel had been living with her parents for the past six months following a separation from her husband, Prahin (also known as Manu). The couple had reportedly been facing marital issues. After a postmortem conducted at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, Angel鈥檚 body was scheduled to be brought home by 11 am on Thursday, July 3. Her funeral would take place at 12 noon at St Francis Xavier Church in Omanapuzha.