Father Jailed for 40 Years After Strangling Nurse Wife and Their Two Kids Before Christmas
A father who suspected his nurse wife of cheating has been handed a minimum 40-year jail sentence for strangling her and their two young children just days before Christmas. Saju Chelavalel, 52, pleaded guilty to the murders at Northampton Crown Court.
Jealous Rage Ends in Horror
The court heard how Chelavalel snapped on the night of December 14, after his 35-year-old wife Anju Asok criticised his mother. Around 10pm, he strangled her with a dressing gown cord.
Next, he tried to drug their two children, Jeeva Saju, six, and Janvi Saju, four. When that failed, he killed them the same way – strangulation.
Police Bodycam Captures Chilling Standoff
Police were called by worried neighbours who hadn’t heard from the family by mid-morning December 15. On arrival, officers caught Chelavalel clutching a knife inside the Kettering home.
Despite repeated orders to drop the weapon, Chelavalel demanded officers shoot him. They finally used a Taser to subdue him. The chilling discovery followed: the lifeless bodies of his wife and children.
Father’s Delusion and Family’s Grief
Chelavalel believed his wife was having affairs, claiming evidence was on her phone – but none was found. An audio recording revealed the children crying for their mother amidst a heated argument.
Anju’s father, Arakkal Ashokan from India, was left devastated by the loss of his daughter and grandchildren. An inquest confirmed the cause of death: strangulation for the children, asphyxia for Anju.
“This is absolutely tragic,” said Detective Inspector Simon Barnes. “Chelavalel’s actions have caused profound pain. I hope one day he grasps the full horror of what he did.”
