The mystery surrounding the death of an 18-year-old B.Sc (Nursing) student at Vengannapalem village in Bhadradri Kothagudem district was solved with the arrest of a 22-year-old youth, who allegedly killed her at her residence on September 22.

The accused was identified as Devarakonda Pavan Kumar, 22, a native of Vengannapalem.

The victim, first year B.Sc (Nursing) student of a private college near Khammam, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her house while she was alone on September 22.

According to the police, Pavan had been acquainted with the girl for the past four years and allegedly proposed marriage to her recently. She reportedly rejected his proposal following a ‘dispute’ between their families.

Angered by this, he allegedly strangled her to death with a wire-like object at the rear of her house before fleeing the spot.

A motorcycle, two mobile phones, including the victim’s, and the bike’s gear wire were seized from the accused.

The Julurupadu police initially registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.

Following the postmortem findings, the case was altered to murder under Section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).