South Bay woman accused of killing her 2 best friends separately on same day, authorities say

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A California woman is facing two first-degree murder charges after prosecutors say she killed two women who were among her closest friends in separate attacks on the same day.

Anila Baby, 33, of Milpitas, appeared in Santa Clara County court Thursday for the first time after being charged in the deaths of Ann Mary Mathew and Anjana Hari.

Prosecutors allege the two killings happened about 90 minutes apart on Aug. 28 in San Jose and Milpitas. If convicted, Baby could face a sentence of 50 years to life in prison.

First Attack in San Jose

According to prosecutors, the first killing occurred at Mathew's home on Linda Vista Street in San Jose.

Police responded to the residence after receiving a report of a suspicious circumstance and found Mathew unconscious and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined that Mathew had suffered at least one stab wound, and her death was ruled a homicide. Prosecutors allege she was also strangled.

Authorities said Baby and Mathew knew each other and were close friends.

Second Friend Killed in Milpitas

About 90 minutes later, investigators say, Baby allegedly encountered another close friend, Anjana Hari, at a Milpitas apartment complex.

According to prosecutors, Hari was called to the parking lot of the complex. When she walked in front of a vehicle, authorities allege the driver accelerated and struck her.

Hari was killed in the incident.

Investigators later connected the two deaths and identified Baby as a suspect, according to authorities.

Prosecutors Call the Attacks Deliberate

Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Marisa McKeown said prosecutors believe the killings were “willful, premeditated and extremely violent.”

She also emphasized the devastating impact on the victims' families, noting that both women were mothers and members of the local community.

But despite the seriousness of the allegations, a motive has not been publicly established.

“The number one question” investigators are working to answer is why someone would kill two close friends, McKeown said.

Investigators Gather Evidence

As authorities worked to connect the two cases, investigators collected evidence they say links Baby to both crime scenes.

Reports indicate Mathew's cellphone was later found in Baby's SUV. Investigators also reportedly found Baby's sandals outside Mathew's residence, while video recordings from the home had been deleted around the time of the killing.

Baby was arrested in Milpitas on the same day as the killings.

Families Left Searching for Answers

The deaths have devastated two families and shocked the South Bay community, particularly because of the close relationships between the women.

Authorities have not publicly identified a motive, leaving friends and relatives with the same unanswered question prosecutors say investigators are trying to resolve: Why?

Baby now faces two counts of first-degree murder as the criminal case moves forward.

An allegation is not a conviction, and Baby is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: ABC7 News