'How to kill an old woman': Vizag woman kills mother-in-law, YouTube searches expose crime

Visakhapatnam: A shocking incident has come to light in Visakhapatnam, where a woman killed her mother-in-law after watching YouTube videos on how to commit murder. The crime took place in Appannapalem near Vepagunta on November 7.

The accused was identified as Jayanthi Lalita Devi, a resident at Varshini Apartments, and the deceased was identified as Jayanthi Kanaka Mahalakshmi (63).

Petrol fire used to commit murder

Lalitha Devi and husband Jayanthi Subrahmanyam, a local priest, have been married for 16 years and have two children. The couple and children lived with Kanaka Mahalakshmi, aunt Akella Chayadevi and nephew S Sarath at the apartment.

According to police, 66-year-old Jayanthi Kanaka Mahalakshmi died under suspicious circumstances after being set on fire. During the investigation, it was revealed that her daughter-in-law Lalitha had deliberately poured petrol on her and set her ablaze.

She told the neighbours who rushed in that her mother-in-law caught fire following an electrical malfunction near the TV.

How was the crime committed?

In a press conference held at Pendurthi, N ACP Prithvi Teja and Satish Kumar disclosed the details.

According to the police, Lalitha kept a grudge against Kanaka Mahalakshmi, accusing her of spreading lies to her husband and causing disputes in the family. Determined to take revenge, Lalitha reportedly searched and watched several videos on YouTube titled, ‘How to Kill an Old Lady.’

On November 6, Lalitha purchased petrol and hid it in the house. The next morning, after her husband left for work, she decided to execute her plan. Her mother and two children were at home. While Lalitha’s mother went to take bath, she asked her children to play hide-and-seek with their grandmother, tied the elderly woman to a chair, blindfolded her, poured petrol and set her on fire after turning up the TV volume to muffle the screams.

The flames burned through the ropes tied to the victim’s hands and legs. Kanaka Mahalakshmi tried to escape but suffered severe burns and collapsed near the prayer room. Her granddaughter, who was nearby, also sustained burns on her hands and legs.

Lalitha initially misled her family by claiming that an electrical short circuit and fire from a lamp in the prayer room had caused the tragedy. However, neighbours who witnessed the incident grew suspicious and informed the police.

During the investigation, police discovered that Lalitha had recently searched for and watched murder-related videos on YouTube. When confronted, she confessed to the crime, stating that she acted out of anger and frustration due to alleged insults and harassment from her mother-in-law.

Police have registered a case, arrested Lalitha, and sent her to judicial remand.