A California woman has been charged with murder for allegedly intentionally running over her friend with an SUV in their shared apartment complex. Anila Baby, 32, faces one count of murder in connection with the August 28 death of Anjana Hari, 35, according to a Santa Clara County criminal complaint. Prosecutors allege Baby killed Hari with "malice aforethought" and that the act involved "great violence, use of a weapon and planning."
Milpitas police responded to the Mill Creek Apartments on August 28 and found Hari suffering from severe head trauma and bleeding. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses told police that Hari and Baby appeared to be friendly, with one witness reporting they were "good friends." Another witness observed the SUV stopped in the complex, and that it "suddenly accelerated" when Hari moved in front of it. The vehicle then struck three parked cars before fleeing the complex. A traffic officer reviewing the scene found no tire marks indicating Baby had attempted to brake.
Responding officers observed a blue Toyota SUV driving recklessly and pulling into a nearby Walgreens parking lot. Baby was found inside the vehicle, which had significant front-end damage. She appeared incoherent, unable to answer questions, and had visible injuries and blood on her arms and legs.
A motive for the incident remains unclear. However, reports suggest the crash occurred moments after Baby allegedly stabbed her roommate, Ann Mathew, and then called Anjana Hari downstairs before striking her with the vehicle. All three women are from Kerala, India, with Hari having moved to the U.S. in 2021. She is survived by her husband and their six-year-old daughter. Friends are raising funds for the family to cover funeral costs and living expenses.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi stated that steps are being taken to facilitate the return of the women's remains to Kerala. He indicated that the Consul General at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco had been informed, and funeral homes were directed to complete necessary documentation. The timing of repatriation is not yet confirmed, as U.S. authorities may retain the bodies for further investigation. Baby is scheduled for arraignment on September 10.