Instagram romance, real-life horror: Woman murdered by second husband in Karnataka india news

What started as a tale of second chances ended in tragedy in the quiet streets of Maragondanahalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Karnataka. Reshma, a 35-year-old widow who rebuilt her life through a second marriage, was found dead in her bathroom last week. Her husband Prashant Kumar, who had once promised to support her, is now accused of her murder.

A Widow’s Search for Stability

Reshma had lost her first husband about fifteen years ago. Left alone to raise her young daughter, she worked as a domestic help in and around Anekal to make ends meet. Friends describe her as a soft-spoken and determined woman who wanted a peaceful life and a better future for her child.

It was through social media that his story took a terrible turn. About a year ago, Reshma met Prashant Kumar on Instagram. A conversation started between the two and with time their online acquaintance turned into affection. Prashant, who presented himself as caring and trustworthy, gradually became a daily presence in her life.

Their relationship deepened despite the difference in circumstances, she was a widow and had a teenage daughter, he was a bachelor who promised her a fresh start. Nine months ago, they quietly got married and started living together in Om Shakti Layout under the jurisdiction of Hebbagodi police station.

marriage based on doubt

Neighbors remember that Reshma and Prashant seemed happy at first. But with time, fights became more frequent. Police sources later confirmed that Prashant had become suspicious of Reshma’s character. His constant jealousy led to bitter fights. On the night of October 15, that suspicion turned into violence. During another argument, Prashant strangles Reshma in anger.

After killing her, Prashant tried to make the incident look like an accident. He placed Reshma’s body in the bathroom, switched on the water heater and went out of the house, thinking that it would appear that she had received an electric shock. When Reshma’s daughter returned home from school in the evening, she found the main door open.

Inside, his mother was lying unconscious on the bathroom floor. The terrified girl ran outside to call neighbours, who took Reshma to a nearby private hospital, but on reaching there, doctors declared her dead.

the truth is revealed

Initially Reshma’s relatives also thought that it could be an accident. But when Prashant gave inconsistent statements, his sister Renuka became suspicious. When she called him after hearing about the incident, he claimed that he was going to his native place and said he did not know anything.

Yet a few minutes later, he arrived at the hospital, pretending to be mourning. Renuka’s suspicions increased when her niece told her that the bathroom door was locked from outside. This small but important detail changed everything.

Police investigation and confession

Hebbagodi police under Electronic City subdivision took Prashanth into custody for questioning. During interrogation, he confessed to killing Reshma after an argument. Investigators reconstructed the sequence of events, confirming that he had tried to disguise the murder as an electric shock. He was later arrested and sent to Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.

The local community is shocked by this murder. Reshma’s 15-year-old daughter, who lost her father years ago, is now facing life without her mother. Neighbors have described him as calm and composed since the incident. A local resident said, “Reshma was trying to give her daughter a better life. She didn’t deserve this end.”

A cautionary tale of trust and insecurity

Reshma’s story illustrates the disturbing pattern of social-media-based relationships turning violent. Police say that while digital platforms can bring people together, they can also become a place where fraud flourishes. In this case, what started as a promise of love ended in suspicion and murder.

The Hebbagodi police continue the investigation, but one fact remains undisputed, a woman who once found hope through Instagram lost her life to the same man who had promised to protect her.