Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Indian-Origin Kerala Woman Charged in Two California Murders
Police in California charged Anila Baby with two murders.
The victims were Ann Mathew and Anjana Hari, who had roots in Kerala.
Mathew was found dead inside a home in San José.
Investigators said she had at least one stab wound.
About 90 minutes earlier, Hari was hit by an SUV in a Milpitas apartment parking lot.
Police say Baby and both women knew one another.
The three women had attended an Onam celebration and watched a movie together the day before.
Police have not said why the deaths happened, and the investigation is still continuing.
Anila Baby, 32, faces two murder charges after two Kerala-linked women died in separate California incidents on August 28.
Ann Mathew, also reported as Ann Mary Mathew, was found dead inside a San José home with at least one stab wound; reports differ on whether she was 35 or 39.
Anjana Hari, 35, was fatally struck by a blue Toyota Highlander in a Milpitas apartment-complex parking lot about 90 minutes later.
Baby was arrested on August 28 near a Walgreens and later charged in Mathew’s death on September 8, after initially facing a charge related to Hari’s death.
Police have not disclosed a motive; the circumstances remain under investigation while officials assist with returning the victims’ remains to Kerala.
- Who
- Anila Baby was charged in the deaths of Ann Mathew, also reported as Ann Mary Mathew, and Anjana Hari.
- What
- Baby faces two murder charges after Mathew was found fatally injured in a San José home and Hari was fatally struck by an SUV in Milpitas.
- When
- Both deaths occurred on August 28; Baby was additionally charged in Mathew’s death on September 8.
- Where
- The incidents occurred on Linda Vista Street in San José and at the Mill Creek Apartments in Milpitas, California.
- Why
- Police have not publicly disclosed a motive, and the circumstances remain under investigation.
- Suspect
- Anila Baby, 32, a Milpitas resident originally from Kottayam, Kerala
- First reported victim
- Ann Mathew, also reported as Ann Mary Mathew; reports list her age as either 35 or 39, and identify her as originally from Thiruvananthapuram
- Second victim
- Anjana Hari, 35, originally from Thrissur
- Date
- August 28
- San José incident
- Mathew was found unconscious and unresponsive inside a home on Linda Vista Street; investigators reported at least one stab wound
- Milpitas incident
- Hari was fatally struck by a blue Toyota Highlander at the Mill Creek Apartments parking lot
- Charges
- Two counts of murder; reports say Baby could face 50 years to life if convicted
- Investigation status
- No motive has been publicly disclosed; legal procedures and post-mortem examinations are pending
