Tenali Serial Killers: In a case from Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, police have arrested three women accused of a series of murders and thefts involving cyanide-laced drinks. Dubbed the "serial killers of Tenali," the suspects—Munagappa Rajini, Madiyala Venkateshwari, and Gulra Ramanamma—are alleged to have killed four people, including three women, while attempting to murder two others who survived, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Modus Operandi Of 'Serial Killers Of Tenali'
The arrests were announced on Thursday by Guntur Superintendent of Police (SP) Satish Kumar, who revealed that the case began two months ago when an unidentified woman was discovered dead under mysterious circumstances in Chebrolu. Special teams were promptly formed to investigate the case, which led to the identification of the deceased as Nagoorbi, a resident of Yadlalingaiah Colony in Tenali.
Leveraging advanced technology, the police identified several suspects, leading them to the three women now in custody. It was revealed that the accused would target strangers, who were mostly neighbours and would gain their trust. They then took them to a seculded place as part of a picnic and then serve them drinks laced with cyanide. Shortly after consuming the drink, the victims would succumb to the poison, allowing the women to rob them of their valuables, as reported by Deccan Chronicle.
Among the accused, Madiyala Venkateshwari, 32, has a particularly notable criminal background. A resident of Tenali, she reportedly traveled to Cambodia, where she was allegedly involved in cybercrime, as reported by NDTV. The other suspects, Rajini and Ramanamma, were part of this deadly network, which also included a man suspected of supplying cyanide to the trio.
Police seized cyanide and various incriminating materials from the suspects' possession. During interrogation, the three women confessed to the murders, confirming their involvement in the crimes. The police continue to investigate the broader scope of their activities and the possible involvement of additional accomplices.
Superintendent Satish Kumar emphasised the meticulous planning and cold-blooded execution of the crimes, and urged people to remain vigilant of strangers.