Suresh Gopi coordinating repatriation of 2 Kerala women killed in Milpitas, California
Synopsis
Two Kerala women — Anjana, 35, and Ann Mary Mathew, 40 — were killed in Milpitas, California, on 28 August, just a day after celebrating Onam together. Their close friend Anila, 32, is in custody. Now, Union Minister Suresh Gopi is personally tracking the repatriation effort, with autopsies expected to clear the way for the bodies to be brought home by this week.
Key Takeaways
Suresh Gopi , Union Minister of State for Tourism, is in regular contact with the Consul General of India in the US to arrange repatriation of the two bodies.
Anjana ( 35 , Thrissur) was reportedly run over by a blue SUV; Ann Mary Mathew ( 40 , Thiruvananthapuram) was found stabbed — both killed on 28 August in Milpitas, California .
Anila ( 32 , Kottayam), a close friend of both victims, has been taken into custody by Milpitas Police ; motive has not been established.
Autopsies are expected to be completed by Tuesday , after which bodies will be handed to registered funeral homes pending family instructions.
Both Gopi and Chief Minister V.D.
Satheesan have spoken to the families of the deceased.
The three women had celebrated Onam together and watched a film just a day before the killings.
Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi is in regular contact with the Consul General of India in the United States to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies of two Kerala women killed in Milpitas, California, on 28 August. The minister confirmed that the handover of the bodies is expected after autopsies are completed, with the process anticipated by Tuesday.
What Suresh Gopi Said
'I am in regular touch with the Consul General there. I have been told that the bodies of both the women will be handed over after the autopsy is completed. They are expecting it to happen by Tuesday. After that, the bodies will be handed over to registered funeral homes there. By then, the families will have to inform the authorities which destination the bodies are to be taken to,' Gopi said.
He added: 'It is midnight now in California, so more information will be received by tonight (our time). I am keeping track of everything.'
Both Gopi and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan have spoken to the relatives of the two deceased women.
The Two Victims
Anjana (35), a native of Peechi in Thrissur, was reportedly run over by a blue SUV in the parking area of the Mill Creek apartment complex in Milpitas. Ann Mary Mathew (40), from Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvananthapuram, was found stabbed to death inside an apartment at the same complex. Both were killed on 28 August.
Anjana, who worked as a school teacher in California, is survived by her husband Vijeesh, a software engineer, and their six-year-old daughter. Ann Mary, who worked as a computer teacher at a school in the US, was the wife of Jacob, a native of Chingavanam, and is survived by two daughters.
Suspect in Custody
Anila (32), a native of Moonnilavu in Kottayam and a close friend of both victims, has been taken into custody by Milpitas Police in connection with the killings. The motive for the killings has not yet been established, according to authorities.
The blue SUV allegedly involved in Anjana's death was later found abandoned, with damage to its front end, in a nearby parking area.
Community in Shock
The incident has deeply shaken the Malayali community in the United States. Notably, the three women — described as close friends who lived in the same apartment complex with their families — had celebrated Onam together and visited a theatre to watch a film just a day before the killings.
What Happens Next
Completion of the autopsies remains the immediate priority, after which the bodies will be transferred to registered funeral homes. Families are in contact with US authorities as the investigation and legal formalities continue. The repatriation of the bodies to Kerala is expected to follow once all procedural requirements are met.
Point of View
The speed (or lack thereof) of consular response, and the political instinct to be seen acting in a crisis. Suresh Gopi's personal involvement is notable, but the real measure of the Centre's response will be how quickly the repatriation is completed and whether the families receive sustained legal and logistical support through the US judicial process. The fact that the motive remains unestablished makes this a live investigation — and the Malayali community's shock is compounded by the intimacy of the tragedy: these were families who celebrated Onam together.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two Kerala women killed in Milpitas, California?
The two women were Anjana , 35, a school teacher and native of Peechi in Thrissur, and Ann Mary Mathew , 40, a computer teacher and native of Kesavadasapuram in Thiruvananthapuram. Both were killed on 28 August at the Mill Creek apartment complex in Milpitas, California.
What is Suresh Gopi doing to help the families?
Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi is in regular contact with the Consul General of India in the US to coordinate the repatriation of the bodies. He has confirmed that the bodies will be handed over to registered funeral homes after autopsies are completed, expected by Tuesday.
Who has been taken into custody in connection with the killings?
Anila , 32, a native of Moonnilavu in Kottayam and a close friend of both victims, has been taken into custody by Milpitas Police. The motive for the killings has not yet been established by authorities.
When will the bodies be repatriated to Kerala?
Autopsies are expected to be completed by Tuesday. After that, the bodies will be handed over to registered funeral homes, and families will need to inform authorities of the destination. Repatriation to Kerala is expected to follow once all legal formalities are completed.
How did the Malayali community react to the killings?
The killings have deeply shocked the Malayali community in the United States. The three women — Anjana, Ann Mary, and Anila — were close friends who had celebrated Onam together and watched a film just a day before the incident, making the tragedy particularly devastating for those who knew them.
