W oman’s death in India may be murder

POLICE are now investigating whether a Dublin-based woman was murdered after she went missing from a wellness retreat in India.

Liga Skromane (33), who was originally from Latvia but resident in Ireland for five years, went missing on March 14 from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s capital city. Her body was found near Kovalam beach last week.

A DNA sample matched with her sister Ilze who had earlier identified the body.

Police have said there were signs of strangulation, according to the preliminary autopsy.

“One of the doctors who performed autopsy on the victim’s body informed that there were indeed signs of strangulation. Hence, we are now looking into the murder angle,” said a senior officer.

“Once the autopsy report comes, we would be able to confirm whether it is also the case of rape or not,” he said.

“At this moment, what I can say is the body did not bear any external injuries. But we are awaiting all the medical reports and will reach a conclusion.”

Ms Skromane’s husband Andrew Jordan and her sister Ilze travelled to India and have openly criticised the police investigation into her disappearance. They expect to remain until the full autopsy report is released.

“We are now awaiting the final medical reports that would make everything clear,” said the grieving sister.

The police have detained several people from the secluded area which is frequented by small-time drugs traders catering to tourists.