Kochi: A woman was found dead inside the compound of a house in Konthuruthy in Kochi early Saturday morning. Ernakulam Town South police have arrested the house owner on charges of murder. The accused has been identified as George, a palliative care worker. The police later confirmed that the victim was a sex worker whom George had brought home the previous night.

The body was found around 6.30 am by workers of the Harithakarma Sena who arrived for routine garbage collection at the residence. They found the woman lying on the tiled courtyard, her head covered with a plastic sack, with bloodstains visible nearby. George was sitting close to the body when they arrived.

The workers immediately alerted local councillor Bency Benny, who informed the police. The Ernakulam South Police detained George for questioning and subsequently confirmed him as the accused.

According to police, the murder took place following a quarrel over money late Friday night. 

“George had picked up the woman from near the Ernakulam South Railway Station and brought her to his house. During the argument, he allegedly struck her on the head with an iron rod, causing her to collapse. Blood was later found inside the house, confirming the assault took place indoors,” said police sources.

The police added that George had tried to move the body out of the house to the main road. He tied a rope around the victim’s body and dragged it through the alley before going to neighbouring houses and a nearby shop around 4.30 am to ask for a sack. One of the sacks he obtained was found covering the woman’s head.

“The plan was to dispose of the body somewhere on the road, and he started dragging the body through the corridor. George was heavily intoxicated and failed to complete the disposal attempt. He fell asleep on the pathway next to the body, where he remained until the Harithakarma Sena workers found him,” said the police.

George had been alone in the house for two days, as his wife was away attending their daughter’s child’s birthday celebrations. 

The police are now working to identify the deceased woman. Inquest proceedings are underway. A murder case has been registered against the accused.