27 April,2026 03:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Special Arrangement
In a swift breakthrough, the Mumbai Police have solved the murder of an 80-year-old woman within 24 hours of discovering her body in Andheri East. Two accused, including the victim's brother and sister-in-law, have been arrested in connection with the case.
The case came to light on April 24, 2026, when civic workers alerted Andheri Police Station after finding a highly decomposed body inside a drain near an open plot close to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, in the Om Nagar area of Marol Pipeline Road.
Police teams reached the spot immediately and conducted a preliminary inspection. Given the condition of the body, an accidental death report was initially registered.
To establish the identity of the deceased, nine police teams were deployed across multiple zones in Mumbai. Investigators relied on recovered ornaments and other clues to identify the woman as Blanche James Sequeira, 80, a resident of Marol Pipeline in Andheri East.
Further inquiry revealed that a missing person complaint had been filed earlier this year at Sahar Police Station by her brother, Joseph Sequeira.
During the investigation, police learned that the victim had frequent disputes with her brother Joseph Sequeira and his wife Maria. Officials found that a major argument had taken place on January 9, 2026, shortly before she went missing.
Based on suspicion, police detained Joseph Sequeira (65), his wife Maria Sequeira (63), and their son for questioning.
During interrogation, Joseph Sequeira confessed to killing his sister in the early hours of January 10 following ongoing disputes. He admitted to disposing of the body in a nearby drain in an attempt to destroy evidence. Subsequently, he and his wife allegedly filed a false missing complaint to mislead investigators.
Following the confession, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Joseph Sequeira and Maria Sequeira were arrested, while further investigation is ongoing.
Officials said the case, which dates back nearly three months, was solved within 24 hours of the body being discovered. The breakthrough was achieved through coordinated efforts by multiple teams and supervision from senior officers.
The police described the operation as a significant achievement, highlighting the quick identification of the victim and the prompt arrest of the accused in a complex case involving a decomposed body and delayed reporting.
