Woman's murder: Chelakkara police searches priest's house

Thrissur: Chelakkara police on Monday found a suicide note from the house of the temple priest, Kottappuram Gopi, who killed himself after he was summoned by the police for the second time in connection with a murder of a woman. The priest killed himself on Sunday. The police team led by Chelakkara CI C. Vijayakumaran, had summoned the priest for questioning after a 70-year-old female's body was found dumped in a gunny bag near the temple on last Wednesday. Police identified the woman to be a devotee of the temple. Her gold chain and bangles were missing.

Police is yet to officially confirm Gopi's the involvement in the murder. "The forensic and finger print experts have collected evidences from his house. We can make any official statement only after completing the investigation," said Mr Vijayakumaran said. It is learnt that the Gopi has mentioned that he has "done something wrong to help a friend", though there is no specific reference to the murder of the septuagenarian. The police is probing the possibility of involvement of more persons in the crime. It is also learnt that the investigative team could not find the missing ornaments neither from Gopi's house nor from his room in the temple.