Kochi: The autopsy report of the 19-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Chottanikkara has confirmed that she suffered brain death due to strangulation. Chottanikkara Circle Inspector NK Manoj stated that the girl was sexually assaulted. He added that injuries were spotted all over her body.

The victim was found in a critical condition at her house in Chottanikkara on January 26. She had sustained severe injuries to her head, neck, and hand after being assaulted by her boyfriend. Police arrested the accused, Anoop (25), after reviewing CCTV footage from a camera installed near the girl’s house.

During interrogation, Anoop confessed to the crime, admitting that he had sexually assaulted the girl and attacked her with a hammer. He claimed that their relationship was troubled by frequent quarrels, as he suspected her of infidelity.

According to the police, the girl had attempted to hang herself after enduring brutal torture at the hands of Anoop. However, her attempt failed when the accused cut the shawl she was using to hang herself. When she tried to scream, he suffocated her with his hands. Anoop then fled the scene after the girl lost consciousness.

On January 26, her relatives found her injured and covered in ants and immediately rushed her to the hospital. She was placed on ventilator support at a private hospital in Kochi but succumbed to her injuries on January 31.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on Saturday morning at Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital. Police have stated that along with culpable homicide charges, the accused will also face charges of attempted murder and rape. Anoop is currently in judicial custody.

Notably, the accused was already facing charges in a drug-related case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The victim was a survivor of a POCSO case registered in 2021. She had met the accused a year ago through the social media platform Instagram.

According to neighbours, Anoop used to visit the girl when she was alone at home and even issued death threats to those who questioned him. Concerned by his behaviour, neighbours gathered signatures from 20 people and filed a complaint with the police. However, no action was taken.