Tyrone73H144 at 23:21, 16 March 2026

2026-03-16T23:21:42Z

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{{Short description|Six murders in Kerala, India, over 14 years}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Koodathayi cyanide killings
| image =
| time =
| date = 2002{{endash}}2016
| location = [[Koodathayi]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]], India
| coordinates =
| also_known_as =
| type = [[Cyanide poisoning]]
| inquiries = K. G. Simon, [[Superintendent of police (India)|Rural SP]], [[Kerala Police]]
| outcome =
| victims = {{Plainlist|
*Annamma Thomas, 57
*Tom Thomas, 66
*Roy Thomas, 40
*Mathew Manjayadil, 68
*Alphine Shaju, 2
*Sily Shaju, 41
}}
| fatalities = 6
| accused = *Jolly Joseph (prime suspect)
*M. S. Mathew
*Praji Kumar
| charges = Murder
}}

[[File:Koodathai.jpg|thumb|right|400px| The Thomas family tree and relations
{{legend|#FF0000|Victims allegedly murdered by the prime accused, Jolly Joseph, through cyanide poisoning between 2002 and 2016}}
{{legend|#585858|Prime accused and the suspected accomplices}}
{{legend|#e0e0e0|Living family members}}
]]
'''The Koodathayi cyanide killings''' were a series of [[Manner of death|unnatural deaths]] that were later regarded as murders, that occurred in [[Koodathayi]] in [[Kerala]], India. The crimes were investigated in late 2019, involving the mystery of 6 deaths over a span of 14 years. The criminal cases drew considerable media and public interest to Kerala, and eventually led to the arrest of Jollyamma Joseph.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/10/08/koodathayi-morders-story-so-far.html|title=Koodathayi cyanide murders: The story so far|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016000701/https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/10/08/koodathayi-morders-story-so-far.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/health/health-news/2019/10/14/koodathayi-murder-jolly-psychopathic.html|title=സീരിയൽ കില്ലറായ സ്ത്രീകളുടെ മനഃശാസ്ത്രം; ഡോക്ടർ പറയുന്നു|website=ManoramaOnline|language=ml|access-date=2019-10-16|trans-title=The psychology of women as serial killers; Says the doctor|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015125621/https://www.manoramaonline.com/health/health-news/2019/10/14/koodathayi-murder-jolly-psychopathic.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/19/world/asia/india-koodathayai-murder.html|title=Police Say Cyanide Soup and 6 Deaths Point to a Serial Killer|first1=Shalini Venugopal|last1=Bhagat|first2=Maria|last2=Abi-Habib|newspaper=The New York Times|date=19 October 2019|access-date=20 October 2019|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020042242/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/19/world/asia/india-koodathayai-murder.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/08/asia/jolly-joseph-murder-india-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Mom, churchgoer, chatty neighbor ... suspected serial killer|author=Julia Hollingsworth|author2=Manveena Suri|author3=Ananthu Sureshkumar|website=CNN|date=9 November 2019|access-date=19 November 2019|archive-date=11 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111041907/https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/08/asia/jolly-joseph-murder-india-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Timeline of the crimes==

In 2002, Annamma Thomas (aged 57), the mother-in-law of the accused, drank a glass of water after returning home from a walk. Immediately afterwards, she began to feel [[malaise|uneasy]] and [[dizzy]], eventually collapsing on the floor. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died, and the doctors declared that she had suffered a [[heart attack]].

In 2008, Tom Thomas (aged 66), Annamma's husband and Jolly's father-in-law, died after [[swooning]] and collapsing. Jolly Joseph was allegedly present at the spot on both occasions.

In 2011, Roy Thomas (aged 40), Jolly's then husband, died after consuming his dinner of [[rice]] and [[Bengal gram]] curry. He was found dead in a bathroom that was locked from the inside. The cause of death was then ruled as [[suicide]] due to financial issues, as the [[Autopsy|post-mortem report]] showed traces of [[poison]]. Roy's maternal uncle, Mathew Manjayadil, called for a post-mortem report and an inquiry into Roy's cause of death.

In 2014, Mathew (aged 68) swooned and died after Jolly allegedly gave him poison-laden [[whisky]]. The deceased Roy has a cousin named Shaju Zachariah.

The same year (2014), Shaju's two-year-old daughter, Alphine Shaju, died after "[[choking]] on food".

In 2016, Jolly allegedly gave Sily Shaju (aged 41), Alphine's mother, a [[Capsule (pharmacy)|mushroom capsule]], which Jolly convinced her would help with energy and [[Depression (mood)|depression]], and Sily died on the spot soon after.

In 2018, Rojo Thomas (brother of Roy Thomas) came down to Koodathayi and filed a series of [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] applications. From the government hospital, he received a copy of the [[autopsy]] report of his brother's body. "When he read the report, he found out that what Jolly told us was wrong. Jolly told us he had food at 3.30 pm and hadn't had food after that. But it was clear in the post-mortem report that he had rice and Bengal gram curry at 8.30 pm," said family friend Mohammad Bawa. "Acute cyanide poisoning can result in death in a matter of seconds. Cyanide does not accumulate in the body and so it is rare to encounter it in slow death cases," explained Dr V. V. Pillay, head of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, [[Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences]] in [[Kochi]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/kerala-serial-killer-jolly-everything-you-need-to-know-1.1570526945036|title=Kerala serial killer Jolly: Everything you need to know|website=gulfnews.com|date=8 October 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016075502/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/kerala-serial-killer-jolly-everything-you-need-to-know-1.1570526945036|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Suspects==

Jolly Joseph, who was 47 at the time of her arrest in 2019, was the prime suspect in the murder of six members of the family she married into. It was Renji Thomas, Roy Thomas's sister, who complained to the police about the six unnatural deaths whose investigation led to Jolly Joseph. Following her [[arrest]] in October 2019, Jolly confessed to using [[cyanide]] to kill the six aforementioned people. She allegedly obtained the cyanide with the help of M. S. Mathew and Praji Kumar, who have also been arrested.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-10-06 |title=Using cyanide, Kerala woman murdered six members of family over 14 years, say police |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/using-cyanide-kerala-woman-murdered-six-members-of-family-over-14-years-say-police-6055693/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224155541/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/using-cyanide-kerala-woman-murdered-six-members-of-family-over-14-years-say-police-6055693/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Jolly Joseph===

Jolly was originally from [[Kattappana]], [[Idukki district]], and a first-year college dropout. She married her first husband, Roy Thomas, in 1997. Jolly and Roy had two sons, now aged 19 and 24. According to her neighbour, Jolly lied to fellow villagers about being an M.Com. (Master's degree in Commerce) graduate and working at [[National Institute of Technology Calicut|NIT Calicut]]. Her whereabouts during her daily outings to her fake job remained uncertain. In 2011, her husband Roy Thomas died under mysterious circumstances. Following the death of Shaju Zachariah's wife in 2016, Jolly married Shaju.<ref name="auto"/> Jolly had been described as "jovial, friendly, jolly and pious" by people who knew her.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/jovial-friendly-pious-shocked-kerala-town-recalls-its-serial-killer-who-killed-6-people-over-14-years-1.1570461633045|title=Jovial, friendly, pious: Shocked Kerala town recalls its 'serial killer' who killed 6 people over 14 years|website=gulfnews.com|date=7 October 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014112231/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/jovial-friendly-pious-shocked-kerala-town-recalls-its-serial-killer-who-killed-6-people-over-14-years-1.1570461633045|url-status=live}}</ref>

===M. S. Mathew===
According to the police, Mathew, a jewellery shop employee who was also a distant relative and lover of Jolly, was the one who provided Jolly with the cyanide. He reportedly told the police that he procured the cyanide from Praji Kumar after giving him two bottles of alcohol and {{INR|5000}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/10/14/koodathayi-murder-jolly-cyanide-mathew-prajikumar-statements.html|title=Two bottles of alcohol & Rs 5,000: How co-suspect in Koodathayi murders got cyanide|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016132735/https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/10/14/koodathayi-murder-jolly-cyanide-mathew-prajikumar-statements.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Mathew claims that Jolly asked him for cyanide to kill a [[stray dog]] that comes near her house.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/jolly-josephs-relative-confessed-he-got-cyanide-her-rs-5000-say-cops-110522|title=Jolly Joseph's relative confessed he got cyanide for her for Rs 5000, say cops|last=|first=|date=|website=www.thenewsminute.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014184909/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/jolly-josephs-relative-confessed-he-got-cyanide-her-rs-5000-say-cops-110522|archive-date=14 October 2019|access-date=2019-10-16}}</ref>

=== Praji Kumar ===
Praji Kumar was a goldsmith who allegedly gave M. S. Mathew the cyanide. He stated that he assumed the poison was being bought to kill rats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=166643&u=cyanide-was-given-to-kill-greater-bandicoot-rat-don%E2%80%99t-have-any-role-in-conspiracy-says-praji-kumar|title=Cyanide was shown to kill greater bandicoot stray dog, don't have any role in conspiracy, says Praji Kumar|last=Daily|first=Keralakaumudi|website=Keralakaumudi Daily|language=en|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613105659/https://www.keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=166643&u=cyanide-was-given-to-kill-greater-bandicoot-rat-don%E2%80%99t-have-any-role-in-conspiracy-says-praji-kumar|url-status=live}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
[[Antony Perumbavoor]] announced his upcoming movie would be based on the Koodathayi incident, with the leading role played by [[Mohanlal]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2019/10/09/kerala-cyanide-murders-to-become-movie-mohanlal-to-play-key-role.html|title=Kerala cyanide murders to become movie, Mohanlal to play key role|website=The Week|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018011603/https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2019/10/09/kerala-cyanide-murders-to-become-movie-mohanlal-to-play-key-role.html|url-status=live}}</ref> synchronized actress Dini Daniel launched a poster through social media of her new movie based the same topic in which she plays as Jolly Joseph.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deepika.com/cinema/CinemaNews.aspx?ID=4401|title=ഡിനി ഡാനിയേൽ നായികയാകുന്ന "കൂടത്തായി'; ഫസ്റ്റ്ലുക്ക് എത്തി : Cinema News|website=deepika.com|trans-title=Fidelukku: Koodiyattayi starring Dini Daniel|language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mohanlal-to-play-investigation-officer-in-koodathai-murder-case-inspired-thriller/articleshow/71501818.cms|title=Mohanlal to play investigation officer in Koodathai murder case inspired thriller? - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=9 October 2019 |access-date=29 October 2019|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012070313/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mohanlal-to-play-investigation-officer-in-koodathai-murder-case-inspired-thriller/articleshow/71501818.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malayalam entertainment-oriented TV channels are airing the same topic in their serials but using a different method of storytelling, fencing against legal issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/koodathai-serial-kerala-news/663453|title = ടി.വി സീരിയലിന് കൂടത്തായി കൂട്ടക്കൊലയുമായി സാമ്യമെന്ന് പൊലീസ് ഹൈകോടതിയിൽ | Madhyamam|date = 3 February 2020|access-date = 16 June 2020|archive-date = 17 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200617031036/https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/koodathai-serial-kerala-news/663453|url-status = live}}</ref>

In November 2019, [[Kairali TV]] released a serial based on the Koodathayi case. Serial actress Divya Sreedhar had played the role of Dolly, a woman who is a psychopath. ''Krithyam'' was the first Malayalam television serial that portrayed the Koodathayi incident.

In December 2019, [[Sony Entertainment Television|Sony TV]]'s crime series ''[[Crime Patrol (TV series)|Crime Patrol]]'' presented 3 episodes case based on Koodathayi incident.<ref>{{Citation |title=Crime Patrol Satark Season 2 - Ep 100 - Full Episode - 2nd December, 2019 | date=4 December 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXr-CjDAMM4 |access-date=2024-02-28 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2020, a Malayalam TV series named ''Koodathayi'' was aired on [[Flowers (TV channel)|Flowers TV]] based on the series killing incident. Actress [[Muktha (actress)|Muktha]] played the role of a killer in the [[Malayalam]] serial. Actors like [[Mallika Sukumaran]], [[Kollam Thulasi]], Dayyana Hamid, etc., played other roles in that serial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-09 |title=Koodathayi Serial Resumes On Flowers TV - HC Allowed Channel To Air Content |url=https://www.keralatv.in/koodathayi-serial-resumes-flowers/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |language=en-US |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018065014/https://www.keralatv.in/koodathayi-serial-resumes-flowers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Malayalam Tv Serial Koodathayi Synopsis Aired On Flowers TV Channel |url=https://nettv4u.com/about/Malayalam/tv-serials/koodathayi |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=nettv4u |language=en |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018065013/https://nettv4u.com/about/Malayalam/tv-serials/koodathayi |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 7 September 2020, [[Spotify]] launched a ten-episode original podcast, ''Death, Lies & Cyanide'' narrated by the journalist [[Sashi Kumar]], based on the murders.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhavani |first1=Divya Kala |title=A journalistic podcast on the infamous 'cyanide woman' of Kerala |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/spotify-india-podcast-true-crime-death-lies-cyanide-sashi-kumar-journalist-interview/article32540044.ece |access-date=1 January 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=7 September 2020 |language=en-IN |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917104533/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/spotify-india-podcast-true-crime-death-lies-cyanide-sashi-kumar-journalist-interview/article32540044.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 22 December 2023, [[Netflix]] released a documentary film titled ''[[Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case]]'' based on the case. It is directed by [[Christo Tomy]], and written by Shalini Ushadevi.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-23 |title=The true story of the Jolly Joseph case, now subject of a Netflix documentary |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/jolly-joseph-murders-koodatha-netflix-9079974/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224154629/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/jolly-joseph-murders-koodatha-netflix-9079974/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Anali'', an upcoming web series on [[Disney+ Hotstar]] directed by [[Midhun Manuel Thomas]] is reportedly based on the case.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-11 |title=Shoot of Midhun Manuel Thomas' Web series Anali Wrapped Up|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/malayalam/shoot-of-midhun-manuel-thomas-web-series-anali-wrapped-up-article-111651095 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Times Now|language=en}}</ref> It stars [[Nikhila Vimal]] and [[Leona Lishoy]] in lead roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/midhun-manuel-thomas-announces-web-series-anali-starring-leona-lishoy-and-nikhila-vimal/articleshow/108330911.cms|title=Midhun Manuel Thomas announces web series 'Anali' starring Leona Lishoy and Nikhila Vimal|website=[[The Times Of India]]|access-date=2024-12-01}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2019 crimes in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Kerala]]
[[Category:Deaths by poisoning]]
[[Category:Deaths by cyanide poisoning]]
[[Category:2019 in Kerala]]
[[Category:Mariticides]]
[[Category:Murder in India]]
[[Category:Scandals in India]]

Koodathayi cyanide killings - Revision history

Tyrone73H144 at 23:21, 16 March 2026