Bengaluru, Sept 26: The prime suspect in the brutal killing of a 29-year-old woman, whose dismembered body was found stored in a refrigerator in Bengaluru, was discovered dead by suicide in Odisha, police reported on Wednesday. The suspect, identified as Muktiranjan Pratap Ray (31), allegedly took his own life by hanging in the Dhusuri Police Station limits of Bhadrak district, Odisha.
Ray was the main accused in the murder of Mahalakshmi, with whom he had been in a relationship. According to Bengaluru police, the couple frequently argued, particularly over Mahalakshmi’s insistence on getting married. These disputes reportedly escalated, leading Ray, known for his short temper, to kill her during an altercation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shekhar H. Tekkannavar confirmed that Ray’s body was found hanging from a tree on Wednesday morning. A suicide note was recovered at the scene, in which Ray allegedly confessed to the murder of Mahalakshmi, according to Odisha police.
The investigation revealed that both Ray and Mahalakshmi worked together at a garment shop in Bengaluru, where they became close and entered into a relationship. Mahalakshmi hadreportedly been pressuring Ray to marry her, which led to ongoing conflicts.
Following the murder, Ray dismembered her body and concealed it in a refrigerator. He later called his younger brother, instructing him to vacate the rented house immediately. When asked for a reason, Ray refused to elaborate over the phone and said he would explain in person, according to police.
