61-Year-Old Man with Violent Past Arrested for Murder After Half-Charred Body Found in Kerala

Police have arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with the discovery of a half-charred body at a rented accommodation in Chowannur, Thrissur district.

The suspect, identified as Sunny from Chowannur, has a criminal history including involvement in two previous murder cases from 2003 and 2005, according to authorities.

While the victim remains unidentified, investigators believe the murder resulted from a dispute regarding unnatural sexual activities.

Local residents alerted authorities on Sunday evening after noticing smoke emanating from Sunny's rented room. Kunnamkulam police officers responded and discovered a partially burned body at the scene.

Authorities located and apprehended Sunny, who had fled the scene, later that night at the Thrissur Sakthan bus terminal.

During questioning, Sunny claimed limited knowledge of the victim, stating they had met at a liquor establishment before he invited the individual to his residence on Sunday.

Police investigations indicate Sunny allegedly forced the victim into unnatural sexual acts. Following a disagreement, he reportedly assaulted the victim, who is believed to have succumbed to injuries sustained in the attack.

Investigators allege Sunny subsequently used flammable substances to set fire to the room.

"We have recovered surveillance footage showing Sunny and the victim together on Sunday. He enticed the victim to his accommodation under the pretext of consuming alcohol together," a police officer stated.

Authorities revealed details about Sunny's violent history, noting: "In 2003, he was involved in murdering a relative. In 2005, he committed a similar murder involving unnatural sex. He received a conviction in one case and was released from prison several years ago."

More recently, Sunny had been employed as a security guard at a Thrissur shop.

The Kunnamkulam police, who initially documented the case as an unnatural death, have now amended the charges to include murder, naming Sunny as the accused.

Efforts continue to identify the victim, estimated to be approximately 35 years old. Surveillance footage has been distributed to all police stations as part of the ongoing investigation.

The deceased's remains have been transferred to Thrissur Medical College for post-mortem examination.