Famed perfumer Monika Ghurde found dead in Goa, rape suspected

Panaji: The naked body of a renowned woman perfumer and researcher was found at her residence in a village near here, with police suspecting that she was raped and murdered.

"We received information about the incident late last night. We found her body in naked condition while the flat was burgled," Police Inspector Rajesh Kumar, who is investigating he case, said.

Monica Ghurde (39), the famed perfume specialist, was living in a rented three-bedroom flat in Sangolda village, about 10 km from here, since July after shifting from the adjoining Porvorim village, police said.

Her hands and legs were found tied to a bed, they said. "The house is burgled but we can't ascertain what things are stolen from the flat as she was living alone," Kumar said.

The building's watchman has been quizzed but he has no information about anyone entering her flat, he said. "We have sent the body for postmortem. Only after the postmortem report is received we will be able to know the exact cause of death," the inspector said, adding suspicion of rape has not been ruled out and marks on her neck indicate that she was strangulated.

Police have rounded up several persons from the village, which is about 5 km from the famous Calangute beach, in connection with the case.