PANAJI
In a case riddled with complexities, the investigation into the rape and murder of Irish-British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin tracked down some of the most crucial witnesses including one who had relocated to New Zealand and another who had returned to Kerala.
Ensuring their cooperation proved to be an uphill task also considering that the trial continued when COVID-19 pandemic struck. The police team eventually located the New Zealand-based witness and recorded his testimony via video conferencing from a Bhopal Sessions Court. The Kerala witness was traced after several notices with one pasted at his residence.
Testimonies of Vijith Vijayan, foreign national Alex Carpenter alias Alexander Mark Carpenter, Delhi-based Aditya Giri among others who were closely acquainted with Danielle played a critical role in the case investigation and subsequent trial.
The Kerala visitor and Danielle had previously stayed together in the Rajashree Guest House at Arambol. As per details available with The Goan, he informed the police that he first met Danielle in Himachal Pradesh in 2016 while learning yoga at Vashisht Yoga School. After completing his training, he returned home to Kerala while Danielle also left, though her destination remained unknown to him. The two however remained in contact through Facebook.
In February 2017, Vijith arrived in Goa and stayed in Arambol at Rajashree Guest House. “During his stay, he got in touch with Danielle, who expressed her interest in coming to Goa to learn yoga. She inquired about good yoga schools and accommodation options before eventually arriving in the third or fourth week of February 2017,” the details reveal.
While in Arambol where they shared a room, Danielle travelled to Palolem on March 12, 2017, to celebrate Holi with her friend Meghan Evans – who was also staying at the same guest house.
“That night, Vijith sent a message to Danielle inquiring whether she had arrived safely but received no response. On March 15, 2017, Vijith came across a Facebook post reporting the rape and murder of an Irish national in Canacona. Shocked by the news, he later handed over Danielle’s belongings to the Canacona police,” it stated.
Another witness, Alex Carpenter, claiming to be Danielle’s friend stated that she arrived at Festival Valley on March 12, 2017 to meet her friend Meghan at around 3 pm and that they attended a party before sunset.
“She was at the Festival Valley and slept on the second level along with Meghan Evans. On March 13, 2017, at 2 pm, she left the Festival Valley, taking a lift from a Delhi guy,” the details further reveal.
Aditya, who was in Palolem with his friend Sheelesh Sharma, reportedly gave Danielle a lift from the Valley to Palolem market. Upon reaching, she used his phone to make a call to another person but it went unanswered.
Sources said that the two Delhi-based friends had travelled to Goa from Pune via road on March 9, 2017 and left on March 14, 2017. At the Festival Valley event, which was organised by another foreigner, Aditya was informed that Danielle had used his phone as well.
“The foreigner in charge of the festival was sitting on his motorbike, and she was sitting behind him. The foreigner did not know anything about the calls nor remembered with whom she left or where she went,” the source added.
Police sources said that COVID-19 pandemic complicated the trial process, disrupting communication between the police, prosecution and witnesses. Despite these challenges, they managed to establish contact with key witnesses and ensured they stuck to their initial statements to the police.
Moreover, of the 46 witnesses examined during the trial, some of them did help police establish Vikat Bhagat’s suspected link to the crime, as they claimed Danielle was seen with Bhagat in the friendliest way. Reportedly, Bhagat even confessed to the police that Danielle and he were to get married.
