Liga Skromane's autopsy showed she was brutally attacked by her killers who broke her neck and smashed her hip: File photoThiruvananthapuram: “Strong as iron, more than six feet tall, good enough for five adversaries,” reads the witness statement the police recorded about the Vazhamuttam native who is in police custody in connection with the murder of Liga Skromane, a Latvian medical tourist.
The police believe that the man, a yoga trainer, could be the mastermind of the crime. A well-built man, the suspect belongs to Paravila in Vazhamuttom.
Liga, who had gone missing on March 14 was found dead in the Mnagrove on April 21. Her autopsy report showed that she was killed from a fatal injury to her neck cartilage that severed the nerves to her head.
Conflicting reports have also been pointing towards a possible rape bid though the autopsy pointed that Liga was not raped.
The mangrove forest in Panathura, from where the decomposed body of Liga was found, is the hub where the suspect and his aides deal in drugs.
The 40-year-old man is a yoga expert and an illegal tourist guide.
His modus operandi involves making friends with tourists who reach Kovalam. He regularly holds yoga demonstrations at Kovalam beach and uses yoga to entice tourists.
Eye witnesses said that the man had been frequenting the spot and was seen in the vicinity very recently too.
Since the suspect is not cooperating with the police in the enquiry, the cops are waiting for more scientific evidence to nail the accused and has sought psychiatric assistance to break the guard of the accused.
The forensic team is investigating critical forensic evidence extracted from a boat found in the mangrove forest where Liga's body was found.
There were human remains like hair found in creepers nearby. These have been sent for DNA tests.
The police have also made a list of drug peddlers who have gone underground recently.
The police were led to the yoga instructor through a Thiruvallam native who was arrested in relation with the murder.
