Vizag woman’s murder mystery solved, accused held

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Vizag police has solved the murder mystery surrounding the discovery of a woman's body in a secluded area of Tagarapuvalasa a week ago.
The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Olikal Pradeesh, hailing from Kerala and residing in Gollaveedhi at Tagarapuvalasa, was arrested.
Pradeesh, employed at a private firm, committed the murder following a dispute over payment for sexual services. The police revealed that Pradeesh dismembered parts of the woman's body to drain the blood before disposing of it.
Inspector of Police, K Lakshmana Murthy of Bheemili, stated that on the night of June 11, the body of the victim, AS Lakshmi, a resident of a village in Vizianagaram district, was found in an isolated location at Tagarapuvalasa. Further investigation unveiled that Pradeesh, accompanied by his wife and two children, had been residing in a penthouse at Tagarapuvalasa for the past six years. Both Pradeesh and the victim worked at the same private firm and were familiar with each other.
On June 11, Pradeesh contacted Lakshmi and invited her to his home, claiming that his family had gone to Kerala. He requested sexual favours from her, offering to pay Rs800. However, a dispute arose when Pradeesh insisted on only paying Rs500. When Lakshmi refused to accept the reduced amount, Pradeesh forcibly raped her and paid her the agreed-upon sum. As Lakshmi demanded the remaining Rs800, Pradeesh pushed her from the penthouse to a nearby building and subsequently strangled her to death.
After consuming alcohol, Pradeesh dismembered the victim's abdomen to drain the blood and decrease the weight of the body. He then wrapped the body in a blanket and transported it on his bike to an isolated location, where he discarded it. However, while returning from the scene, Pradeesh was involved in a minor accident that drew the attention of a few locals.
Utilizing vital information provided by the locals, the police apprehended the culprit and presented him before the court, according to Lakshmana Murthy's statement.