Bengaluru techie’s death shocks city, teen neighbor accused
Police say Sharmila was strangled in her Bengaluru home, with the fire allegedly set later to erase chilling evidence.
What initially appeared to be a tragic case of suicide has now unfolded into a chilling murder, shocking residents of east Bengaluru and raising disturbing questions about safety and obsession. Police have confirmed that the death of a 34-year-old tech professional, found in her rented apartment earlier this month, was the result of a brutal killing disguised as a fire accident.
On January 3, a fire broke out inside her apartment, prompting neighbors to alert emergency services. When firefighters and police reached the spot, Sharmila was found dead inside the flat. Given the presence of smoke and burn damage, investigators initially suspected that she had died of suffocation caused by the fire.
Forensic examination and a deeper probe revealed signs of physical assault that did not align with an accidental or self-inflicted death. Police later confirmed that Sharmila had been strangled before the fire was set, turning the case from a suspected suicide into a calculated murder.
According to investigators, the accused is an 18-year-old youth named Krishnayya, a pre-university student originally from Kerala. He lived in a house opposite Sharmila’s apartment and was allegedly obsessed with her. Police said the youth was in one-sided love with the woman, a fixation that eventually took a deadly turn.
On the night of the crime, the accused allegedly entered Sharmila’s flat through a sliding balcony window, taking advantage of the late hour when the surroundings were quiet. Police believe Sharmila was unaware of his presence until it was too late. Once inside, the accused allegedly approached her from behind and behaved inappropriately, hugging her without consent.
Investigators said Sharmila resisted and tried to push him away, leading to a violent confrontation. In the struggle, the accused allegedly struck her on the neck, causing her to lose consciousness. When she collapsed, he allegedly strangled her to death, ensuring she could not raise an alarm.
Realising the gravity of his actions, the accused is believed to have attempted to destroy evidence and mislead investigators. Police said he set fire to the bedroom, which later spread to other parts of the apartment. The blaze was meant to make the death appear accidental, shifting suspicion away from foul play.
The plan initially worked. The presence of smoke damage and fire-related destruction led police to register the case as a suspected death due to suffocation. However, forensic findings, including injury marks on the victim’s neck and inconsistencies in the fire pattern, prompted a more detailed investigation.
As officers began questioning neighbors and reviewing the victim’s background, attention turned to the teenager living nearby. His behavior and movements around the time of the incident reportedly raised suspicion. During interrogation, police say the accused eventually confessed to the crime, revealing the sequence of events that led to Sharmila’s death.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local community, with residents expressing disbelief that such a violent act could occur in a seemingly quiet residential area. Neighbors described Sharmila as a private and independent woman who kept largely to herself. Friends and colleagues have remembered her as hardworking and kind, struggling to come to terms with the sudden and brutal loss.
Police officials said the case highlights the dangers of unchecked obsession and the vulnerability of individuals living alone, particularly women in urban settings. They stressed the importance of secure housing, awareness of surroundings, and timely reporting of suspicious behavior.
The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway to establish all aspects of the crime. Police are also examining whether there were earlier warning signs or attempts by the accused to contact or harass the victim.
What began as a presumed accident has now emerged as a deeply disturbing crime, leaving a family grieving, a neighborhood shaken, and renewed calls for vigilance and justice.