The police found a 67-year-old woman dead at her house in Mudichur late on Wednesday, and her gold jewellery stolen.
The victim, Vellaiammal, was living alone on the first floor of her house in Moogambigai Nagar, while her son Muthiah was living on the ground floor. On Wednesday, Muthiah, anxious as he had not see his mother for a couple of days, went upstairs and sensed a foul smell emanating from her room. He then informed the Tambaram police, who on reaching the spot broke open the door and found Vellaiammal dead. Jewellery weighing seven sovereigns was missing.
Death was caused by stab wounds, the police said. The body was sent to Tambaram Taluk Hospital for post-mortem. “The body was in a decomposed state and we suspect the murder was committed on Monday night. We have got some clues,” an officer said.
The city has witnessed a number of violent, fatal attacks on elderly women, with their jewellery and other valuables stolen, in the past few months.