Coimbatore Horror: Man Kills Estranged Wife, Posts Corpse Selfie

New Delhi, December 1, 2025: A horrific act of domestic violence rocked Coimbatore city on Sunday morning after a man allegedly hacked his estranged wife to death at a women’s hostel and then posted a chilling selfie with her body as his WhatsApp status, accompanied by a disturbing message. The accused, S. Balamurugan (32), was immediately arrested by the Rathinapuri police.

The Tragic Incident

The victim, identified as B. Sripriya (30), originally from Tirunelveli, had separated from Balamurugan several months ago due to marital disputes. She had moved to Coimbatore and was working at a retail shop while residing in a working women’s hostel near Gandhipuram. The couple had two young children, who were reportedly in Balamurugan’s custody.

According to police investigation, Balamurugan came to the hostel on Sunday to meet Sripriya. He had allegedly confronted her repeatedly over a suspected relationship she had developed with one of his distant relatives after their separation. On the day of the crime, a heated argument reportedly broke out between the estranged couple.

In a fit of rage, Balamurugan is said to have pulled out a sickle he had brought with him and fatally attacked Sripriya, killing her on the spot.

The Disturbing Digital Act

What followed the murder has sent shockwaves across the region. Instead of attempting to flee the scene, the accused reportedly sat near his wife’s body. In a truly macabre act, he took a selfie with Sripriya’s corpse, lying in a pool of blood, and uploaded it as his WhatsApp status. The caption on the photo chillingly read, “The payment for betrayal is death.”

The incident was reported by other women staying at the hostel who fled the scene and alerted the authorities. Rathinapuri police swiftly arrived and found Balamurugan still at the location.

Investigation and Arrest

The police immediately took Balamurugan into custody and recovered the victim’s body, which was sent to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Balamurugan has been arrested and charged with murder. Police believe the motive was linked to the marital separation and the alleged extramarital relationship.

This heinous crime has once again brought the critical issue of domestic violence and crimes of passion into the spotlight, highlighting the extreme and often fatal risks faced by women in abusive or strained relationships. The misuse of social media platforms to flaunt or justify such extreme violence adds a frightening new dimension to these tragic events. The investigation into the full circumstances of the murder and the digital dissemination of the image is ongoing.