Mangaluru: In a chilling case from Varkadi in Kerala’s Kasaragod district, a man named Melvin, now in police custody, has confessed to brutally murdering his 60-year-old mother Hilda. According to police, Melvin admitted to killing her after she refused to hand over the house deed required for him to secure a ₹1 lakh loan.
The horrific crime occurred around 1 am on June 25. Melvin reportedly assaulted his mother with a sharp weapon, dragged her body into a forested area, and set her on fire while she was still alive. Shortly after, their relative Lolita came to the house, responding to Melvin’s claim that Hilda was seriously ill. Believing him, she left her child at home and rushed to help.
On her return, Melvin allegedly assaulted Lolita, doused her in petrol, and attempted to burn her alive. She managed to flee into the forest and was later found injured and admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru, where she remains in the ICU.
After the crime, Melvin reportedly fled on foot for 2 km before taking an auto to Hosangadi. He then caught a bus to Mangaluru and another to Byndoor, where he was eventually tracked and arrested by Kerala police with help from the Byndoor police.
Melvin, an earthmover operator by profession, had previously worked in the Byndoor region. During questioning, he cited financial stress and his mother’s refusal to assist him as motives, also blaming Lolita for siding with Hilda.