Transwoman murdered in friend’s house in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: Tragedy struck on Monday evening as a 36-year-old trans person, identified as B Somasundaram (37) after transitioning to a transwoman named Dhanalakshmi, was found brutally murdered at her friend’s residence in Marudhamalai. Dhanalakshmi, a native of Coonoor, had settled in Telungupalayam, Coimbatore, with her parents. She had successfully completed her diploma and worked as an analyst at a private IT firm in the city.

Dhanalakshmi often spent time with her friend Masilamani, another trans person residing in Indira Nagar in the Maruthamalai foothills. Masilamani shared her home with her male friend Mani. The tragic incident occurred after Masilamani and Mani invited Dhanalakshmi to join them for the Thai Poosam festival at the Marudhamalai temple on Thursday.

Following the festival, Dhanalakshmi continued staying with Masilamani and Mani at their residence. On Monday around 7 pm, Masilamani and Mani left the house to buy meat and liquor, leaving Dhanalakshmi alone. Upon their return at 8 pm, they discovered her lifeless body in a pool of blood. The two, in an inebriated state, sought help from neighbors and promptly informed the police.

Officers from Vadavalli police station arrived at the scene, conducting an inquiry with Masilamani, Mani, and neighbors. Dhanalakshmi’s body was sent to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for postmortem, while forensic science experts and a sniffer dog team were deployed to collect evidence from the crime scene.

Police suspect the involvement of a third person, in addition to Masilamani and Mani, who may have been present during the crime. Dhanalakshmi had multiple stab injuries on her body. CCTV footage from the locality revealed an individual leaving the home on Monday evening, prompting further questioning of Masilamani and Mani about this unidentified person, according to police sources.