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Indian nun found murdered in Kerala convent

Police believe Sister Amala killed by burglar
Indian nun found murdered in Kerala convent
Published: September 18, 2015 07:09 AM GMT
Updated: September 17, 2015 11:29 PM GMT

A 69-year-old Indian Catholic nun has been found murdered at a convent in Kerala's Kottayam district, police say.

The body of Sister Amala, a retired nurse, was discovered on Sept. 17 lying in a pool of blood in her room at the Lisieux Carmelite Convent in Palai diocese, Sateesh Bino, the district police superintendent, told ucanews.com.

"The autopsy report revealed she sustained severe injuries to her head caused by a blunt weapon," the police officer said.

Police have launched a murder inquiry, Bino said.

Other nuns found Sister Amala after they went looking for her when she failed to appear for morning Mass.

The retired Congregation of Mother of Carmel nun used to work in a nearby hospital managed by the congregation.

M.R. Ajithkumar, the inspector general of police, surveyed the murder scene. He said he has formed a special investigation team to hunt for the nun's killer.

"We found 12 finger prints belonging to the same person in the room where the deceased was found. We are treating the case as a high-priority one," Ajithkumar told ucanews.com.

According to statements given to police by convent officials, Sister Amala had been suffering from a fever and was resting in her room. She kept the door unlocked so other nuns could enter her room easily if she needed help, they said.

Police suspect the nun was murdered after encountering a burglar in the night.  

Father Mathew Chandrankunnel, spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Church, has urged authorities to catch the killer quickly. 

 

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