A woman caretaker at a crèche in Kannan Devan Hills Plantation in the Munnar Belmoondi division was found hacked to death on Wednesday, while four children -all aged below three years- were asleep in an adjoining room.

According to the police, three gold chains were found to be missing from the body of the deceased who was identified as 47-year old Rajaguru. Police believe that the attackers may have locked the door from inside before hacking Rajaguru in the face and chest, and later escaped through the back door.

Jalani Bathyuth, a Jharkhand native, who had come to the crèche to pick her child was the first to see the grievously injured Rajaguru, who was then immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. She was however declared brought dead by the doctors there.

None of the children were robbed or hurt in the attack. Even as three gold chains were reported missing from her person, the attackers has surprisingly not divested Rajaguru of her gold earrings. This has made the police wary of viewing it as a killing, just for the sake of robbery alone.

Munnar circle-inspector Sam Jose told The News Minute that since the kids were asleep in the adjoining room at the time of the incident, it was highly unlikely that any one of them may have actually witnessed the murder.

“She was found lying on the kitchen floor, while all the children were asleep in another room. A few locals have reported seeing some men with their faces covered on motorbikes around that time. Investigation has just begun,” the officer said.

Post mortem will be held at the Kottayam Medical College on Wednesday. Rajaguru is survived by her husband Manikumar who works as a tourist guide and her two sons.