Blind woman govt employee found murdered in Ongole lodge

Vijayawada: A shocking murder inside a lodge in Ongole town of Prakasam district triggered panic on Tuesday after a visually impaired woman govt employee was found dead with her throat slit under suspicious circumstances.The victim was identified as Aadi Lakshmi, an employee in the irrigation department. According to police, she had left home two days ago and did not return, prompting her husband, Mallikarjun, to lodge a missing persons complaint at the Ongole One Town police station.During the investigation, police traced her movements and found that she had checked into Sri Ram Lodge near Depot Centre along with a man identified as Venkata Ramana. Acting on this information, police rushed to the lodge and broke open the room, where she was found lying in a pool of blood.Police suspect that she died after her throat was slit. The gruesome incident led to tension in the area as police sealed the lodge premises and began collecting evidence.Prakasam district SP Harshavardhan Raju visited the scene and reviewed the investigation. He said three special teams were formed soon after the missing complaint was registered.Police said Venkata Ramana, who was last seen with the victim, is absconding and is the prime suspect. Lodge staff are being questioned, and CCTV footage is being analysed to trace his movements.Officials said the motive is yet to be established and the investigation is under way.