Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod

Kasargod, Jun 26: In a gruesome incident that has shocked the region, a man allegedly killed his mother by setting her on fire at Vorkady on Thursday morning. The accused, identified as Melwin Monteiro (26), fled the scene after the crime and is currently absconding.

The victim has been identified as Hilda Montero (59), wife of the late Louis Montero from Nallangayi, Vorkady. A neighbour and relative, Lolita (30), wife of Victor, sustained serious burn injuries in the incident and has been admitted to a hospital in Mangaluru.

Hilda and Melwyn

Melwin then went to the nearby house of Lolita and falsely claimed that his mother had gone missing. When Lolita rushed to the house to check, he reportedly set her on fire as well.

At the time of the incident, only Melwin and his mother were living in the house. Hilda’s other son, Alwin, had recently moved to Kuwait for employment just a month ago.

Police sources revealed that Melwin escaped in an auto-rickshaw to Hosangady and later boarded a bus to Mangaluru. He was reportedly working as a daily wage labourer. Manjeshwar police have taken up the investigation and are continuing efforts to trace the absconding accused.