The Murray River town of Cobram awoke to tragedy when 32-year-old Anu Kumar was found dead inside her Christie Avenue home, allegedly killed by her estranged husband Prem Kumar while their two young sons played just metres away.
Kumar’s relatives told The Age that he converted from Christianity to Islam after arriving in Australia, describing him as “brainwashed.”
He moved to Australia without Anu and lived with a housemate – during which time he converted to Islam – before Anu came to join him, the family member said.
His online posts in recent months frequently referenced religion and global politics, and in his final video rants he invoked nations and deities while presenting his children to viewers.
Kumar can be seen encouraging his children to praise nations including Australia, India and Saudi Arabia, and Hindu and Islamic deities.
Only hours after the alleged killing, Kumar posted a series of disturbing videos to social media in which he paraded his children, made them chant phrases such as “I am Sikh warrior,” and handed them gifts. In one clip, with a child on his lap, he directed them to say “Hi everyone, I am safe.”
Police allege the videos were uploaded around 8am, less than three hours after Anu’s body was discovered.
Neighbours reported hearing a dull thud about 1.30am before spotting the boys on their plastic bikes outside the unit. Emergency services arrived soon after and confirmed Anu’s death around 5am. Her husband, 45-year-old Prem Kumar from Dandenong, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.
Family members in India told The Age that Anu, who was a Christian, had grown up in Bangalore, where she was the eldest of three siblings, before moving to Australia after her marriage.
Wedding photos showed her smiling in a sunset-coloured sari adorned with bangles, but relatives said her life in Australia was marked by loneliness and isolation.
It is further revealed that while Prem had some friends, they said Anu had few connections and “didn’t know anyone.” Her social media accounts had only a handful of contacts and were filled with photos of her children rather than herself.
It is also reported that Anu, who lived with multiple sclerosis, was a devoted mother and a “very polite, very sweet” woman.
Neighbours confirmed that Anu kept largely to herself and rarely left the house, a social housing unit, while some had raised concerns with government agencies about her need for support.
Floral tributes have since been placed outside the home, with community members posting online messages of grief and shock.
For Anu’s two sons, and for her family now travelling from India, the tragedy has left a void that cannot be filled.
Kumar appeared in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court, did not apply for bail, and will remain in custody until December 10.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
