Octogenarian woman found dead in Kovai

Coimbatore: In a suspected case of murder for gain, an 85-year-old woman was found strangled to death at her residence in Gandhipuram in Coimbatore on Monday.

Police said Palaniammal, who was living alone in one of the line houses at first street extension, was strangled to death, and the culprits stole her gold bangles worth two sovereigns.

The murder came to light when her grandson Karunakaran went to her house to give food for breakfast. “The doors remained open and he found his grandmother lying dead with a towel tightened around her neck. She was living alone after her husband died few years ago,” police said.

On receiving information, a police team led by Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi visited the scene of crime and held enquiries. Finger print experts and a sniffer dog were pressed into service.

Police suspect that some one known to the victim had killed the octogenarian and took away her two gold bangles; however both her earrings remained intact. Local residents informed police that they spotted three strangers, all natives of north India roaming around in the neighbourhood in a suspicious manner.

Police are probing to know the motive behind the murder and have formed two special teams to nab the culprits.