Friendship with strangers, cyanide-laced drinks: female serial killers in Andhra Pradesh

They befriended strangers and offered them drinks laced with cyanide to steal gold, cash and other valuables in Tenali district of Andhra Pradesh. Three women, the “serial killers” of Tenali, police say, have murdered four people, including three women.

Andhra Pradesh Police arrested Munagappa Rajini, Madiyala Venkateshwari and Gulra Ramanamma on Thursday. Police revealed that the victims died soon after consuming cyanide-laced drinks and then their valuables were stolen.

The killings date back to June this year, when the “serial killers” murdered a woman named Nagur B. They tried to kill two others, but they survived, police said.

Madiyala Venkateshwari is not a first-time offender. The 32-year-old volunteered in Tenali for four years and then travelled to Cambodia, where she was allegedly involved in cybercrime.

Police have seized cyanide and other evidence from their possession. They have also arrested a man who allegedly supplied them with cyanide.

The Tenali incident brings back chilling memories of the Jolly Joseph cyanide murders in Kerala, where a woman killed six people in 14 years.

Tenali Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar said the women had confessed to the crimes. Police warned people to be cautious and not make friends with strangers easily.