Alappuzha (Keralam) | A 45-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her son-in-law following a verbal altercation over family issues at her house in Edakkunnam near Charummoodu here early on Saturday, police said.

The deceased, Jayakumari, was the mother of the accused's wife.

According to preliminary information, the accused, Joji Joseph, arrived at the house at around 5 am, saying he wanted to see his child.

An argument broke out between him and the woman's family, allegedly over differences between Joseph and his wife, police said.

During the altercation, Joseph allegedly stabbed Jayakumari with a knife.

She was rushed to a hospital but could not be saved, police said.

Joseph fled the scene after the incident, and police launched a search to trace him, focusing on his relatives and friends.

Efforts were underway to trace and arrest the accused, police said.

Nooranadu police registered a murder case and launched an investigation.

The body will be handed over to the relatives after the postmortem examination, police added.