Jolly Joseph

Suspected Serial Killer

Indian Vazhavara, Idukki, Kerala

Quick Info

ProfessionSuspected Serial Killer
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth01/06/1972
Age54 years
BirthplaceVazhavara, Idukki, Kerala

Latest News about Jolly Joseph

01/08/2026

Jolly Joseph appeared before the Marad Special Court during ongoing trial proceedings in the Koodathayi murder case. The hearing was part of the witness-examination stage, and the matter was adjourned after issues affecting the investigating officer's appearance.

15/07/2026

Jolly Joseph was taken to Kannur Women’s Jail to sit for her Bachelor of Arts in History examinations through Indira Gandhi National Open University. Reports said she is studying while in judicial custody, and the move was made so she could attend the scheduled exam.

02/07/2025

A family court granted divorce to Jolly Joseph, the main accused in the Koodathayi mass murder case. The petition had been filed by her husband Shaju Zacharias, and the case was settled after the opposing side did not appear for several hearings.

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Bio/Wiki

Other NameJoliyamma

Physical Stats & More

Height165 cm
Eye ColorDark Brown
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolSt. Mary's High School, Vazhavara
College/UniversityM.E.S. College, Nedumkandam, Kerala
Educational QualificationGraduation at M.E.S. College, Nedumkandam, Kerala

Personal Life

Marital StatusMarried
ReligionChristianity
AddressPonnamattam Veedu, Koodathai Bazar, Koodathai Village, Thamarassery, Kozhikode, Kerala

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Affairs/BoyfriendsRoy Thomas
Marriage Date
First Marriage1997
Second marriage2016

Family

FatherK Joseph (farmer)
SiblingsTwo elder brothers and two elder sisters, one younger brother named Nobi Thomas
Spouse
  • Roy Thomas
  • Shaju Zacharia (Roy Thomas’s first cousin
  • school teacher)
ChildrenRomo Thomas and Ronald Thomas (from Roy Thomas)

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Jolly Joseph is a suspected criminal from India.
2. She is the prime suspect in the murder of six of her family members in Koodathayi, Kerala over a period of 14 years.
3. Jolly was born into a middle-class family.
4. After marrying Roy Thomas, she resided in his ancestral home in Koodathayi.
5. The repeated deaths in her household sparked rumors of haunting or possession.
6. Her brother-in-law became suspicious and found inconsistencies in her accounts.
7. Jolly falsely claimed to work at the National Institute of Technology (NIT).
8. She admitted to the murders and was subsequently arrested.
9. Investigators believed she killed her family members for property and assets.
10. In 2020, Jolly reportedly attempted suicide in jail and was hospitalized in Kozhikode.
11. The cyanide murder case inspired TV and Netflix documentary series.
12. Her request for discharge was denied by the court in 2023 due to incriminating evidence.
13. Jolly Joseph is a suspected serial killer from India.
14. She is the prime suspect in the murder of six family members in Koodathayi, Kerala between 2002 and 2016.
15. After marrying Roy Thomas in 1997, she resided in his ancestral home in Koodathayi.
16. She obtained cyanide with the help of a local goldsmith, M.S., to poison her family members.
17. She was arrested on 05/10/2019 following an in-depth police investigation.
18. The Netflix documentary 'Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case' was released on 22/12/2023, directed by Christo Tomy.
19. Jolly Joseph confessed to using cyanide to kill six family members to seize control of the family's assets and pursue her romantic interest.
20. She allegedly poisoned her in-laws to acquire the house and killed her husband Roy as their marriage deteriorated.
21. She mixed poison into an alcoholic beverage for Manjadiyil, who had insisted on Roy's post-mortem.
22. Sili Sakhariyas and her daughter were reportedly poisoned through their food and water respectively.
23. Jolly Joseph was 47 years old at the time of her arrest in October 2019.
24. She remains in custody as the trial is ongoing and bail has been denied.
25. If found guilty, she could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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