Kochi: In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of a 61-year-old woman in Oonnukal, the police arrested the prime suspect, Rajesh, a native of Adimali, on Wednesday night. Rajesh had been absconding since Shanthamma's body was found in a waste pit at a house in Oonnukal on Friday.

The Special Investigation Team, led by Muvattupuzha DySP and Perumbavoor ASP, arrested him near Marine Drive in Ernakulam. “We have been hunting for him for the last six days and finally arrested him. He will be brought to Oonnukal police station and produced in court. We will seek his custody to understand what led to the murder,” police sources said.

Police suspect Rajesh killed Shanthamma and stole her gold jewellery to pay off debts. The victim, identified as Shanthamma, was found dead in a waste pit on August 21, 2025.

According to investigators, Shanthamma had been in frequent contact with Rajesh. CCTV footage from August 17, the day she went missing, captured his car near her residence in Vengoor and the property where her body was found. However, police are yet to find out why and where she was murdered.

Police sources said Rajesh allegedly stole about nine sovereigns of gold from Shanthamma before disposing of her body. He is believed to have sold the gold to settle financial liabilities, and efforts are on to recover the stolen ornaments.

The house where the body was found belongs to a Christian priest who visits occasionally. The crime came to light when the priest arrived and noticed a broken exit door on Friday, prompting him to file a theft complaint. A detailed inspection later led the police to the body in the waste pit behind the house.