Kerala Police have launched an intense manhunt after two women—a mother and her 43-year-old daughter—were found murdered in their home in Padiyoor village, Thrissur district. The grim discovery was made on Wednesday after neighbours reported a foul smell coming from the house. Officers from the Kattoor police station arrived at the scene and recovered the bodies, which have been sent for a post-mortem at the District Government Medical College Hospital.

Initial findings suggest the victims were either strangled or suffocated. The prime suspect is Premkumar, the husband of the younger victim, who is currently absconding. Shockingly, Premkumar was previously accused of murdering his first wife in 2019, burying her body in a forest. He was out on bail at the time of the latest incident.

Police suspect a family dispute may have led to the killings and fear Premkumar may have repeated his past crime.

This marks the second double murder in Kerala in recent months. On April 22, businessman Vijayakumar and his wife Meera were found murdered at their residence in Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam, further deepening concerns over rising domestic violence-related crimes in the state.

The manhunt for Premkumar continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.