Mangaluru: Gruesome murder case of 2019 that shook the city

In a disturbing incident that added to the alarming trend of violence against women reported in various parts of the country, a shocking murder and dismemberment had come to light in Mangaluru in 2019.

The dismembered body of Shrimathi Shetty (35) was discovered near Kadri Park, while another naked body was found wrapped in a gunny sack near Nandigudde Morgan’s Gate on May 12, 2019.

Shetty, a successful entrepreneur running an electrical shop in Attavar, was brutally killed over a financial dispute. Investigations revealed that the accused couple, Samson and his wife Victoria Mathias, were running a fast food shop in Nandigudda, which was facing losses. Mrs. Shetty had lent them Rs. 1 lakh, out of which they managed to repay only Rs. 40 thousand. Seeking the remaining amount, they resorted to extreme measures, taking her life in the process.

Under the guidance of then Commissioner Sandeep Patil, the police worked diligently, leading to the arrest of the accused couple within a week of the incident. The police traced the severed piece of the victim’s leg to Kadri Park, a crucial piece of evidence that linked the couple to the crime.

During the investigation, it was uncovered that the accused kept the lifeless body of Mrs. Shetty at their residence for an entire day before dismembering it and disposing of the parts in different locations to cover up their tracks. The act was an attempt to destroy the evidence and evade justice.

The case has undergone extensive examination of witnesses, and the arguments are set to be presented in court soon.