Anila Baby Charged with Double Murder of Friends in San Jose and Milpitas
Anila Baby, a 32-year-old woman from Kerala, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her friends Ann Mary Mathew and Anjana Hari. The alleged crimes occurred on August 28, 2026, within approximately 90 minutes of each other in San Jose and Milpitas, California. Mathew was found stabbed in her San Jose home, while Hari was struck and killed by an SUV in a Milpitas parking lot. The motive behind the killings is still under investigation.
Key Highlights
- Anila Baby faces two counts of first-degree murder.
- Victims Ann Mary Mathew and Anjana Hari were close friends of the accused.
- Mathew was allegedly stabbed and strangled in her San Jose home.
- Hari was allegedly run over by an SUV in a Milpitas parking lot.
- The two incidents occurred approximately 90 minutes apart on August 28, 2026.
- The motive for the killings remains under investigation by authorities.
Anila Baby, a 32-year-old woman with roots in Kerala, India, has been formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her close friends, Ann Mary Mathew and Anjana Hari. The tragic events unfolded on August 28, 2026, within a span of approximately 90 minutes, across two locations in California: San Jose and Milpitas.
The San Jose Police Department responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a residence on Linda Vista Street in San Jose at approximately 1:53 PM on August 28. Upon arrival, officers discovered Ann Mary Mathew, 39, unconscious and unresponsive inside the home. Medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene. Subsequent investigation, including evidence from the Santa Clara County Crime Lab and the Medical Examiner's Office, revealed that Mathew had suffered at least one stab wound, and her death was classified as a homicide. Preliminary information indicated that the victim and the suspect, Anila Baby, knew each other, and Baby was quickly identified as a suspect.
Approximately 90 minutes earlier, on the same day, Milpitas police officers responded to a reported hit-and-run incident at the Mill Creek Apartments. There, they found Anjana Hari, 35, who had been struck by a vehicle. Witnesses reported that Hari appeared to know the driver of the blue Toyota Highlander and approached the SUV without apparent confrontation. However, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, striking her and subsequently hitting several parked cars before leaving the scene. Hari sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Anila Baby was arrested by Milpitas police on August 28 in connection with Hari's death, after the damaged vehicle was found nearby.
Prosecutors subsequently charged Baby with murder in both deaths. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office officially charged Baby with murder in Mathew's death on September 8, 2026, after reviewing the San Jose Police Department's investigation. The charges allege willful, premeditated, and extremely violent crimes. Investigators found evidence such as Mathew's missing cell phone in Baby's SUV, and Anila's sandals were found outside Mathew's residence. Additionally, video recordings from Mathew's home had reportedly been deleted around the time of her death.
Relatives and friends of the victims have stated that Mathew, Hari, and Baby were close friends. They had reportedly attended an Onam celebration and watched a film together the day before the tragic events. Both victims were mothers.
Anila Baby remains in custody without bail and appeared in Santa Clara County court on September 10, 2026. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 17, 2026, for a plea entry. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life in prison. The motive and exact circumstances surrounding the deaths are still under investigation by the authorities. The San Jose Police Department noted that the killing of Ann Mary Mathew was the city's 17th homicide of 2026.
The news is of significant public interest in India due to the victims and accused being of Indian origin, specifically from Kerala, a state with a large diaspora in the US. The dual murders within a short timeframe and the close relationship between the accused and victims have garnered considerable attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anila Baby and what is she accused of?
Anila Baby is a 32-year-old woman from Kerala, India, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in California. She is accused of stabbing her friend Ann Mary Mathew to death in San Jose and running over her friend Anjana Hari with an SUV in Milpitas, on August 28, 2026.
When and where did the alleged incidents take place?
The alleged incidents occurred on August 28, 2026. Ann Mary Mathew was found dead in her San Jose home, and Anjana Hari was killed in a Milpitas apartment complex parking lot. These locations are in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and are less than 20 kilometers apart.
What is the relationship between the accused and the victims?
Anila Baby, Ann Mary Mathew, and Anjana Hari were reportedly close friends. They had reportedly attended an Onam celebration and watched a movie together the day before the deaths.
What is the current legal status of Anila Baby?
Anila Baby is in custody without bail and has been formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder. She appeared in court on September 10, 2026, and her next court date for entering a plea is November 17, 2026. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
What is the motive for the killings?
The motive behind the killings is still under investigation by the authorities. Despite the close friendship between the accused and the victims, the exact reasons for the alleged murders remain unclear.
