Elderly Couple Axed to Death In Their House In Kerala, CCTV Hard Disk Missing

The victims have been identified as T.K. Vijaykumar, 71, and his wife, Meera, 65.

Vijaykumar was the owner of the Indraprastham auditorium in Kottayam. According to the police, the couple was brutally attacked with an axe in their residence in Thiruvathukal. The housemaid discovered their bodies in the morning.

The maid typically entered the house through the rear door. However, on Tuesday, she found that the rear door was closed, so she went to the main entrance instead. Upon arrival, she discovered a grinding stone in front of the door, as well as blood stains on the floor.

The main door was open, and the bodies of Vijaykumar and Meera were found in a pool of blood.

She ran out screaming and informed the neighbours. They alerted the local police.

Residents in the area reported to the police that a migrant worker, who had been employed at the couple's house, was dismissed due to an alleged dispute.

An individual among the first to arrive at the scene stated that an axe was found near one of the victims. Both victims had suffered deep gashes to their faces. Vijaykumar's body was located in the main hall, while Meera was discovered lying dead in the bedroom.

The hard disk from the CCTV camera installed in the house was missing, prompting the police to gather footage from cameras in the surrounding neighbourhood.

The family had already endured a significant tragedy in 2017, when Vijaykumar's son, Gautham, was killed after being struck by a train in Kottayam.

The couple's daughter, Gaythri, currently resides in the United States. Following Gautham's death, the family demanded a thorough investigation, leading to a CBI probe, which is currently ongoing.

Kottayam police stated that the crime was premeditated and driven by personal enmity. "The accused harboured a grudge and came prepared," they explained. He climbed over the compound wall and took the axe from the outhouse to commit the murder. The assailant used a screwdriver to open the door, while a grinding stone he had brought to break it open was left unused.

Amit, a migrant worker who had previously been employed by the couple, is currently under investigation. He was dismissed over allegations of theft. The police are monitoring him closely and plan to question him regarding the incident.