"Sheikh Ismail, who sneaked into Kumari's apartment at J J Nagar to steal her mobile phone, strangulated her to death after she raised an alarm," Outgoing Commissioner of Chennai Police, K Radhakrishnan, told reporters here.
"The accused made a call from the mobile to his sister which helped us trace him, Radhakrishnan said adding, finger prints recovered from the murder site matched with that of Ismail.
Ismail also stole Kumari's laptop and some cash, besides the mobile phone, he said after handing over the mantle to new City Commissioner T Rajendiran.
Police had recovered decomposed body of Kumari (25), a native of Bihar and employed with Air India, from her apartment on May 23 after neighbours complained of foul smell emanating from there.
Published 28 May 2009, 10:18 IST