Woman’s half-naked body found on Marina sands

CHENNAI: The half-naked body of woman with injuries on her chest and neck was discovered half buried in the sand by morning walkers on the Marina beach on Sunday

The Anna Square police identified the woman as Lakshmi, a native of Madurai. They said she was often spotted soliciting customers in the area late at night. Police said their enquiries showed she was last seen on Saturday night walking with four autorickshaw drivers towards an unlit area near the swimming pool.

This was where walkers found her in the morning. Empty liquor bottles were strewn in the area. “The woman was lying semi-naked. She had injuries and scratches on her chest and neck,” said a police officer.

Police have formed special teams to trace the autorickshaw drivers she was last seen with. Their task was complicated by the fact that there was no CCTV camera that covered that particular spot, which police said, saw many transgenders and women soliciting customers once darkness falls. Police suspect that the murder may have happened after the area turned deserted late in the night.

“We are now searching for those who left the beach late in the night and escaped from the spot. We have got some clues and will zero in on the suspects soon,” said the officer.

The Anna Square police have registered a case of murder. The Marina sees thousands of visitors every evening, but there are deserted stretches that become dens of crime, with drug peddling and soliciting rampant under the cover of darkness.