The mystery of the missing Mexican dance student has been solved with the arrest of her compatriot and boyfriend, who allegedly murdered her some days ago and sought to mislead the police by lodging a complaint that she was missing.
The Madurai district police have arrested Martin Manrique (40) on the charges of murdering Cecile Denise Acosta and abandoning the body in a water tank near here, top police officers said.
Acosta, 36, was learning Mohiniyattom at the Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Art and Culture, Cheruthuruthy, in Thrissur district of Kerala, and was reported missing since April 9.
Body in the bag
According to the police, the partly burnt body of a woman was found in a travel bag near the Nilayoor tank in Austinpatti police station limits of the Tirupparankundram sub-division on April 11.
Initial probe suggested that the victim was around 35 years of age.
A special team was formed to solve the case and all police stations in the southern districts were alerted, Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Rajesh Das, DIG of Police (Madurai Range) B. Bala Naga Devi and Superintendent of Police (Madurai) Asra Garg told a press conference.
The team noted that a ‘woman missing' case was registered in the Krishnankoil police station in Virudhunagar district on April 15 and that the complainant Martin Manrique had stated that his girlfriend was missing since April 9.
Maths scholar
According to the complaint, Manrique knew Acosta for about two decades and had come to India in July 2011 to pursue research in mathematics at Kalasalingam University, Krishnankoil, near Srivilliputtur, in Virudhunagar district.
About five years ago, Acosta gave birth to a girl.
Martin and Acosta had agreed to take care of the girl, who is studying in a local school in Srivilliputtur.
On April 4, she had come from Thrissur to Srivilliputtur and spent a few days with her child.
The officers said it was suspected that a quarrel between them resulted in the killing of the woman.
In a bid to dispose of the body, Martin allegedly stuffed it into a travel bag and loaded it in a car, which he had recently purchased for Rs.1.80 lakh from someone he knew.
Vital clue
The special team picked up an automobile spare part from the crime scene and it turned out to be a vital clue that led to the tracing of the car. Based on his confession, the police arrested Manrique. A case of murder (Section 302 of IPC) has been registered.
He will be produced before a judicial magistrate, Mr. Garg said. Acosta's daughter would be handed over to a Government Home after obtaining orders from court. Their relatives in Mexico had been informed.
A few others who had some knowledge about the foreigner would be interrogated shortly.
He commended the special team for the swift detection of the crime.
Marriage plan
An Inspector of Police, who was part of the investigation team, said Acosta had planned to marry a person living in France and had expressed her desire to take her daughter there shortly. This might have annoyed Manrique, resulting in her murder, the officer added.
