A California woman is accused of killing her two best friends miles apart. The motive remains a mystery

A 32-year-old California woman faces two counts of first-degree murder following separate, fatal attacks in San Jose and Milpitas that left two mothers dead within 90 minutes of each other.

Anila Baby, of Milpitas, faces life in prison if convicted of the August killings of Ann Mary Mathew and Anjana Hari. She appeared in a Santa Clara County courtroom Thursday for the first time.

“Both women were mothers,” Deputy District Attorney Marisa McKeown said. “They are residents of our community, and their families are suffering terribly from the ultimate question of ‘Why would someone do this?’”

Police officers linked the two homicides following forensic analysis and interviews. Authorities arrested Baby after she allegedly tried to flee the Milpitas scene in her vehicle to a nearby parking lot. Officers reported she was covered in blood and had facial injuries at the time of her arrest.

Court documents, reported by ABC 7 Los Angeles, show that charges were filed September 1 against Baby in connection with the Milpitas killing. Prosecutors filed charges in the San Jose death Tuesday.

The first incident occurred August 28 at the San Jose residence of Mathew. Witnesses reported an unexpected visitor arriving at the home, and Mathew’s husband later discovered her body inside. Investigators said Mathew suffered strangulation and stab wounds, and video recordings from the residence were deleted during the attack, though Baby’s sandals were left outside.

Approximately 90 minutes later, Hari, 33, was called out to the parking lot of her apartment complex in Milpitas. When Hari stepped in front of a vehicle, the driver accelerated and struck her, according to court documents.

Friends created an online fundraiser for Hari’s husband, Vijesh Vijayan, to help cover “funeral costs, living expenses, and support for the family's recovery.”

Organizers wrote that Vijayan is now facing “shock, grief, and overwhelming pain” after his wife was “tragically killed as the victim of a hit and run.” By Friday, the GoFundMe had drawn more than $94,000 from nearly 950 donors.

McKeown, the district attorney, stated that prosecutors view the attacks as deliberate acts.

“These are extremely serious charges,” McKeown said. “We believe that these were willful, premeditated and extremely violent crime scenes.”

Investigators have not yet publicly identified a reason for the attacks.

“Really, the biggest heartbreak of this case is these families were best friends and want answers as to why someone could do this to their friend,” McKeown said. “So, I hope we can provide answers as we investigate this case.”

Baby is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court November 17 at 9 a.m. to enter a plea.