Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, June 27: Melwin Montero, accused of the brutal murder of his mother Hilda Montero (59) at Nallengi, Workady, has made chilling revelations during police interrogation. According to the police, Melwin admitted that he killed his mother over disputes related to property and money.
Melwin had reportedly been harassing his mother for some time, often pressuring her for money to get married and to transfer property to his name after the marriage. When Hilda refused, he grew increasingly aggressive. Police said that Melwin was frequently intoxicated and would harass her at home.
On Thursday morning, he allegedly struck Hilda on the head with a wooden plank inside the house. After she fell unconscious, he strangled her to death. He then dragged her body outside, piled plastic, clothes, and firewood over it, and set it on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Following this, he called a neighbour, Lolita, to the house and tried to kill her by setting her on fire as well. Fortunately, Lolita managed to escape. Though she sustained 40% burn injuries, she survived and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mangaluru. Melwin suspected Lolita of preventing his mother from giving him money, which allegedly prompted the murder attempt on her as well.
After committing the crime, Melwin fled and hid near a quarry close to Byndoor, where he had previously worked. Using mobile phone tracking, the police traced and arrested him.
Melwin, a daily wage labourer, had reportedly been unemployed for several weeks and frequently returned home drunk, subjecting his mother to physical and emotional abuse.
Hilda’s body was handed over to relatives after a post-mortem was conducted at the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital. Her funeral was held on Friday at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Workady.
The accused was produced before a Kasargod court and has been remanded to judicial custody.