Autopsy reveals Goa perfume specialist Monica Ghurde died of strangulation: Police

Panaji: The post-mortem conducted on renowned perfume specialist Monica Ghurde, whose body was found near here two days back, brought to the fore that she was strangulated to death, although it failed to confirm whether she was raped before the murder or not, police said.

The panel of doctors in Goa Medical College and Hospital on Saturday conducted the post-mortem on the body of 39-year-old Ghurde, who was found dead at her home in Sangolda village on October 6.

"The post-mortem report has confirmed that she died due to smothering," Deputy Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar told PTI today.

He said the post-mortem report, however, is not clear on the suspicion of rape, which would be known only after the serological examination.

"The viscera has also been preserved and would be sent for forensic examination ... The post-mortem does not confirm or rule out rape. It is completely silent on that awaiting detailed forensic examination," Gaonkar said.

Ghurde, who was living alone in a rented three bedroom flat at Sangolda village near Calangute beach, was found dead on October 6, although police investigations have revealed that she might have been killed on October 5.

Earlier in the day, police said that they have sent teams to the neighbouring states to nab the accused.

"We will be able to crack this case soon. We are working on different theories. Yesterday, we had sent teams to different locations including neighbouring states," Deputy Inspector General of Police Vimal Gupta told PTI.

Gupta said the woman originally hailed from Nagpur and was married to a photographer Bharat Ramamrutham from Tamil Nadu and was residing at Porvorim near here before she got separated from her husband and shifted to Sangolda this year.

"Police investigations have revealed that she had shifted to Sangolda in July this year and was staying alone," the DIG said.