Kerala women's deaths in US: Suresh Gopi assures steps to bring back mortal remains

Union Minister Suresh Gopi has said all necessary steps will be taken to bring back the mortal remains of two women from Kerala who were allegedly murdered in California, United States. The minister's assurance came on Monday, August 31, 2026, following communication with Indian consular officials.

The deceased have been identified as Anjana, a native of Mudikkode in Thrissur district, and Ann Mathew, a native of Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvananthapuram. According to relatives, the suspect in the case, Anila, a native of Kottayam and a friend of the two women, is currently in the custody of US police.

Vinod, a relative of Anjana, told the media that the three women, along with their families, were residing in the same apartment. He said Anjana's family in Thrissur initially received calls on Saturday informing them that Anjana had met with a serious accident and had been hospitalised, only to later learn of her death.

Vinod added that the families knew Ann through video calls but did not personally know Anila. The three women were working at different jobs, he said.

Describing the family's ordeal, Vinod said Anjana's husband, Vijeesh, remains in shock and is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy while caring for their six-year-old daughter. According to information received from people in the US, Anila allegedly stabbed Ann at their apartment and later rammed a car into Anjana. Anjana had moved to the US in 2021 and is survived by her husband and daughter.

Union Minister Suresh Gopi told the media that the deaths had been officially confirmed as homicides, but specific motives and detailed investigative findings would be known only after formal reports are issued by US authorities to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs).

Gopi, who is the Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum and Natural Gas, said he spoke with the Consul General at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, which has jurisdiction over California, at 7.25 am on Monday. "According to what he informed me, orders have been issued to the funeral homes handling funeral services to proceed with all the required documentation to send the mortal remains to their home country," Gopi said.

The minister said it was not yet confirmed when the mortal remains would be handed over to the relatives in the US, as authorities may retain them for further investigation. "I am expecting an update from the Consulate later this day. Only after that will we know when the mortal remains can be brought or dispatched from there," he said.

The incident has prompted concerns among the Malayali community in the US and in Kerala. The state government and NORKA have been in touch with the families to provide assistance. The investigation is ongoing, and US authorities have not yet released detailed findings.