In a shocking development, Mukti Ranjan Ray, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of 29-year-old Mahalakshmi, allegedly died by suicide in Odisha on Wednesday. Ray’s body was found hanging from a tree in a village under the jurisdiction of the Dhusuri Police Station in Bhadrak district. Bengaluru police, who had been searching for him, were informed of the discovery by local authorities.
Ray, 30, had been on the run following the gruesome murder of Mahalakshmi, whose body was found chopped into 59 pieces and stored in a fridge at her home in Bengaluru. The crime had shocked the nation due to its brutality.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Ray had visited his village earlier on Tuesday before leaving again. His body was later found on the outskirts of the village. His family has identified the deceased, and the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Further investigations are underway to determine the precise circumstances surrounding his death.
According to Bengaluru police sources, a diary recovered from Ray’s belongings contained a confession to Mahalakshmi’s murder. The diary, along with a suicide note, reportedly outlined his involvement in the crime. Police Commissioner Kumar confirmed that the Odisha Police had registered the case as an unnatural death, and Bengaluru authorities have verified that Ray is indeed the main suspect.
The murder investigation began after Mahalakshmi’s dismembered body was discovered by her mother and sister at her Vyalikaval home on September 21. She had last reported to work on September 1, and her phone had been switched off since September 2, raising concern among her family members.
Ray and Mahalakshmi were colleagues, and sources indicate that he was unhappy about her relationship with another man. The identity of this man has not been disclosed by authorities. Mahalakshmi had separated from her husband, Hemanth Das, nine months ago, and the couple shared a four-year-old daughter. Her estranged husband told police that she had been involved in an illicit relationship.
The post-mortem report confirmed that Mahalakshmi’s body was chopped into 59 pieces. Investigators are awaiting toxicology results to determine if she was poisoned before her death. Forensic teams are also examining fingerprints found on the refrigerator where her body was hidden.
