Businessman in custody after killing Covid infected wife for property

Boralesgamuwa Police have arrested a businessman who allegedly killed his Covid-infected wife on her bed in an attempt to inherit her property.

Police also seized a half-burnt pillow and bed sheets used in the murder.

The victim was identified as Kalani Yasintha Mapalagama, 45, a resident of Third Lane, Egodawatte Road, Boralesgamuwa.

The couple has a 13-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter, police said.

The woman had been receiving treatment at home due to Covid-19 infection.

According to the police, the husband has telephoned the wife’s brother around 10 pm on 15 September saying that his wife has died in sleep. After the brother has arrived, the woman’s body was taken to the Colombo South Teaching (Kalubowila) Hospital, police said.

The doctors have confirmed that the woman was dead and directed to conduct a PCR test, which has further confirmed that she was infected with COVID-19.

However, the brother of the woman has become suspicious of the husband’s behavior and lodged a complaint with the police stating that husband behaved suspiciously when the body was taken to the hospital and constantly attempted to cover a scratch wound on his neck with the shirt collar.

According to the complaint, a post mortem was conducted on an order from the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s Court and the report provided by the Dr. MM Sampath Senatunga, Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo South Teaching Hospital states that the victim’s death was due to asphyxia by tightly covering the nose and mouth.

According to the police, a lengthy investigation revealed all the details of the death. It was revealed that the husband was planning to marry another woman after taking possession of his wife’s property, police said.

Source: Agencies