Full Breakdown
Kerala Woman Charged with Two Murders in California
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident
On August 28, 2026, two women—Ann Mathew, 39, and Anjana Hari, 35—were killed in separate incidents in San Jose and Milpitas, California. Anila Baby, a 32-year-old resident of Milpitas originally from Kottayam, Kerala, was identified as the suspect and arrested later that day.
Background & Context
The three women were close friends who had attended an Onam celebration and watched a film together the day before the deaths. Both victims were mothers and lived in the same Milpitas apartment complex.
Timeline
- August 28, 2026 – At approximately 1:50 p.m., San Jose police responded to a report at the 700 block of Linda Vista Street. Officers found Ann Mathew unconscious with a stab wound; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
- August 28, 2026 – Minutes later, Milpitas police responded to the Mill Creek Apartments after a pedestrian was struck by a blue SUV. Anjana Hari was pronounced dead at the scene.
- August 28, 2026 – Milpitas police located Anila Baby near a Walgreens, arrested her, and booked her into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on a separate matter.
- September 8, 2026 – The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the investigations and filed two murder charges against Baby.
- September 10, 2026 – The San Jose Police Department issued an update confirming that the victim and suspect were known to each other.
- November 17, 2026 (scheduled) – Baby is slated to appear in court for a possible plea.
Data & Statistics
- Two murder counts: one for a stabbing, one for a fatal hit-and-run.
- The San Jose Police Department recorded the homicide as the city’s 17th murder of 2026.
- The vehicle involved in the hit-and-run was described as a blue Toyota Highlander (or blue SUV); investigators found no tire marks indicating an attempt to brake.
Official Statements & Responses
- Deputy District Attorney Marisa McKeown described the charges as “extremely serious” and characterized the alleged crimes as “willful, premeditated and extremely violent.”
- The San Jose Police Department’s September 10 update noted that the victim and suspect were acquaintances.
- The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the filing of murder charges on September 8.
Why It Matters
The case has attracted attention in India, where officials have been in contact with the families regarding repatriation of the victims’ bodies. If convicted, Baby faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life for each count, reflecting the severity of first-degree murder charges in California.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Some sources describe the vehicle as a “blue Toyota Highlander,” while others refer to it simply as a “blue SUV.” Both identify the same incident but differ on the model description.
- The motive for the killings remains under investigation, and authorities have not publicly disclosed a definitive explanation.