A neighbour, who preferred to remain anonymous, said “Monica’s father is well known in the Christian community. Their family has built several Christian schools and churches in the city. They are good people, who have gone out of their way to help others in Mysore.”

Kavita, Susairaj’s friend in school, says she was easily the best Bharatnatyam dancer, while Mathew, though an introvert, was exceptional in academics and was the school captain. “I knew them when she was in Class 10 and Mathew was in Class 7. They were friends then. The murder and their arrest have deeply shaken us, especially since Jerome had a great career in the Navy,” said Kavita.

An excellent dancer, singer and performer, Susairaj always wanted to work in films. She joined a BA Journalism course in Mysore in 1999 but did not complete it as she “was busy modelling”. Susairaj’s friends also recall that she trained under the legendary classical dancer Vasundhara Doraiswamy.

Mathew, the son of a retired bank clerk, was a newly commissioned officer in the Navy and was seen as a “bright youngster with a brilliant future”, who even won a gold medal for topping his course at the Naval Engineering College at INS Shivaji in Lonavala. His friends in the Naval circuit say that the officer and Susaira used to frequent parties and social events in Mumbai.

“Mathew knew about Grover, but the two had never met or spoken. Susairaj had told Mathew that Grover had a soft corner for her but that she did not feel the same. She maintained this during her interrogation as well. However, Susairaj and Grover were going around and the two had sex the night before the murder,” said Joint Commissioner Maria.

... contd.