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The dismembered body of a 50-year-old woman who had been reported missing on August 22, was found packed in three sacks in two overhead water tanks of a house in Arisipalayam on Monday, August 31, in Tamil Nadu's Salem district.
The deceased was identified as Thangamani, a resident of Balaji Colony in Thathanur in Mettupatti. She worked as a domestic worker at a house in Hasthampatti and had been reported missing at the Hasthampathi police station.
The gruesome murder came to light after Ramesh (62), a temple priest residing in Arisipalayam, returned home with his wife Jamunarani and son Gautham after a two-day trip to Kumbakonam and Thanjavur.
On opening a tap for domestic use, the family noticed a foul smell emanating from the water.
According to reports, Ramesh and his son checked the two overhead water tanks on the terrace. They found sacks containing body parts in both tanks.
One sack contained severed hands and legs, while another contained the severed head of a woman. Another sack containing the remaining body parts was also found. Police said the woman's body had been chopped into seven pieces and packed in the three sacks.
The Pallapatti police were alerted and rushed to the spot. The three sacks were subsequently sent to Salem Government Hospital for postmortem examination.
Police said the deceased had the name ‘Ganapathi’ tattooed on her arm. The body was later identified as that of Thangamani, based on a missing-person complaint registered with the Hasthampathi police.
Forensic experts examined the scene and collected samples, including fingerprints. Sniffer dogs were also deployed as part of the investigation.
Police are examining CCTV footage from the neighbourhood to identify those responsible for the murder. Three people from the locality, including a college student, were taken in for questioning. Police also questioned a man working as a cook for inquiry.
Further investigation is underway.