‘Was A Good Boy, Loved His Brother’: Neighbours In Shock After 23-Year-Old Confesses To Mass Murder In Kerala

Afan, 23, is accused of brutally murdering six people in Venjaramoodu, Kerala. The victims included his grandmother, his alleged lover, his paternal uncle, the latter's wife, and his 13-year-old brother.

The mass murder allegedly committed by 23-year-old Afan in Venjaramoodu was brutal, and there is evidence of drug use by the accused, police said on Tuesday. A senior police officer stated that the victims, including Afan’s 13-year-old brother, had suffered grievous head injuries.  

When asked by reporters about the possibility of drug use, the officer responded, "There is evidence of drug use. The exact nature of the drug can be ascertained only after scientific examination", news agency PTI reported.  

Neighbours and relatives expressed shock, claiming that Afan was a mild-mannered and soft-spoken individual. A woman running a tea shop near his home told a TV channel, "He loved his brother and took care of him. I cannot believe he did it. He was a good boy. There is not a single bad thing we can say about him. Saw his younger brother yesterday afternoon also. Did not know what had happened till the police arrived."  

Similar sentiments were echoed by other relatives and neighbours, who found it difficult to believe that Afan could have committed the murders.  

Afan’s arrest is yet to be formally recorded as he is currently hospitalised at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College after claiming to have consumed poison. Police have not officially disclosed details regarding the motive or the weapon used in the killings. However, some reports suggest that financial difficulties in the family could have been a factor, and that Afan allegedly used a hammer to carry out the murders.  

The shocking incident came to light when Afan walked into the Venjaramoodu police station on Monday evening and confessed to the killings.  

According to police, Afan claimed to have killed six people, but his mother survived the attack and is currently hospitalised. The other victims included his grandmother, his alleged lover, his paternal uncle, and the latter’s wife.  

The remains of Afan's grandmother, brother, uncle, and aunt were handed over to the family after post-mortem examination and were displayed at his grandmother’s home in Pangode for relatives and neighbours to pay their last respects. Hundreds gathered to see the victims for the last time, with many breaking down in tears. Later, the remains were laid to rest in the evening at Pangode Juma Masjid, as per PTI.  

The funeral rites of Afan’s girlfriend, Farsana, were conducted at her home before she was buried at Kattumurakkal Juma Masjid in Chirayinkeezhu.  

Kerala Mass Murder: Murders Committed Across 3 Houses In Venjaramoodu

Earlier, police stated that attempts appeared to have been made to open cupboards at Afan’s paternal uncle’s home, but it remains unclear if anything was taken. The murders were committed across three houses, reportedly spread over 20-25 kilometres in the Venjaramoodu area. Police suspect that Afan travelled between the locations on his motorbike, though they have not officially disclosed the exact sequence of the killings, PTI reported.  

State Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil, who visited one of the crime scenes, described the killings as "cruel and pre-meditated", ruling out the possibility that they were carried out in a fit of rage. However, he cautioned against jumping to conclusions regarding the incident.