Thrissur, 14 Oct (H.S.): Police have constituted a 15-member special investigation team headed by the Thrissur Rural Superintendent of Police to investigate the murder of a 65-year-old woman at her home in Karalam, where 16 sovereigns of gold jewellery were reported missing.

The victim, Savithri, wife of Arumpilly Vijayan, was found dead on Tuesday. Preliminary findings suggest she was strangled with a sari, police said. Marks on her neck and hands indicated that force had been used against her.

The killing occurred while Savithri was alone at home. Her son and daughter-in-law had taken her husband to hospital. Her granddaughter discovered the body after returning from school in the evening.

Police said jewellery worn by Savithri, including bangles weighing five sovereigns, a chain weighing five sovereigns and rings, was missing. The reported loss of gold has prompted investigators to examine whether robbery was the motive behind the murder.

Chilli powder had been scattered around the body, apparently in an attempt to hamper the investigation. Police suspect the attacker used it to interfere with scent trails and mislead the dog squad.

A police dog that picked up a scent near the body moved through the kitchen, exited the house and reached the main road, where it stopped. Investigators are examining this trail as part of efforts to establish the assailant’s movements.

Police also recovered a glove from the house that they suspect may have belonged to the killer. Its possible connection to the crime is being investigated.

Investigators have received information that itinerant groups were present in the neighbourhood on Tuesday and are checking whether anyone among them had any connection to the incident. No link has been established.

The special team has intensified efforts to identify and trace the person responsible, examining the recovered glove and other evidence from the house.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman