San Jose, California — Two women who traced their roots to Kerala were found dead in separate incidents in San Jose and Milpitas on August 28, and police in Santa Clara County have arrested a 32-year-old Indian-origin woman, identified as Anila Baby, in connection with both deaths, authorities said.
Arrest follows linked investigations
Local investigators said the two deaths, occurring roughly 90 minutes apart, were initially treated as separate incidents before evidence connected them and led to Baby's arrest the same day. She was first booked in the Milpitas case; prosecutors on September 8 filed an additional murder charge in the San Jose death.
The two victims have been named as Ann Mary Mathew, 35, and Anjana Hari, 35. Police and media reports stated that all three women were friends and originally from Kerala. Authorities are continuing to probe motive and circumstances surrounding the incidents, and families are reported to be seeking answers and making arrangements for repatriation of the deceased.
Sequence of events reported by police
| Date | Location | Alleged incident |
|---|---|---|
| 28 August | San Jose | Mathew found inside home with stab wounds; later pronounced dead at scene |
| 28 August (about 90 minutes later) | Milpitas | Hari struck by a vehicle in apartment complex parking lot; vehicle then fled scene |
| 28 August (later) | Approx. 1.6 km from Milpitas scene | Blue Toyota SUV located outside a retail pharmacy; driver identified as Baby and arrested |
According to police statements and media reports, Mathew was discovered by her husband inside their San Jose home. The San Jose Police Department said she was found unconscious with stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators reported she had been strangled and stabbed. Media accounts described her body as being left in a pool of blood.
About an hour and a half later, investigators say Baby contacted Hari to come to the parking lot of their apartment complex in Milpitas. Witnesses told police that Hari appeared relaxed and friendly when she approached Baby's SUV. When she stepped in front of the vehicle, it allegedly accelerated and struck her. After the collision, the vehicle is reported to have fled, subsequently hitting three other vehicles as it left the apartment complex.
"The motive and circumstances surrounding the event are still under investigation," the San Jose Police said.
Arrest and condition of the suspect
Police located a blue Toyota SUV parked outside a retail pharmacy about 1.6 kilometres from the Milpitas apartment complex. Media reports state that officers found Baby at the vehicle; she reportedly appeared incoherent, could not answer officers' questions, and had visible blood on her arms and legs. She was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.
Prosecutors initially charged Baby in connection with the Milpitas incident. On September 8 they added a murder charge in the San Jose death after investigators linked the two scenes. Formal charging documents and court proceedings in Santa Clara County will determine how the two counts are pursued.
Impact on Kerala families and consular involvement
The case has reverberated among Malayali communities in Silicon Valley and back in Kerala, where families of the deceased are seeking clarity on the sequence of events and the reasons for the attacks. Media reports say arrangements are underway for repatriation of the victims' remains, and further consular engagement is likely as the legal process unfolds.
- Victims: Ann Mary Mathew (35), Anjana Hari (35)
- Accused: Anila Baby (32), arrested and booked in Santa Clara County
- Locations: Mathew's home in San Jose; apartment complex in Milpitas; SUV found ~1.6 km away
Authorities have not released additional details about a possible motive or any prior disputes among the women. Detectives continue to examine forensic evidence, witness statements and any digital records that could clarify the relationship dynamics and timeline.
For the Malayali diaspora in the Silicon Valley area and relatives in Kerala, the case underscores concerns about safety and the need for clear communication from local authorities during transnational tragedies. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and city police departments involved are expected to provide further updates as charges proceed through the court system.
Legal proceedings in the United States, including arraignment and pretrial hearings, will determine custody status and next steps. Kerala families and community groups in the region are coordinating with local officials while awaiting fuller disclosure of investigative findings.
Further reporting will follow developments from Santa Clara County prosecutors and police releases regarding both the investigative findings and any court action in the coming weeks.
