The live-in partner of slain American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter has been named one of two persons of interest (POIs) in connection with his killing in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, police said.
In an interview with reporters at Camp Crame on Wednesday, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Director PCol. Timmar Alam said that Carpenter’s Filipina partner is among the two persons of interest being looked into by the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) handling the case, according to a report of RH Edniel Parrosa on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
Authorities are investigating why the suspects allegedly spared the woman when they entered the couple’s home and took around P50,000 worth of cash and other valuables.
According to the police investigation, the suspects did not hurt Carpenter’s partner, contrary to her earlier statements. A vaginal swab examination also yielded negative results, contradicting her claim that she was sexually assaulted by the suspects.
The SITG is looking into the possibility that Carpenter’s live-in partner may have known the suspects, raising questions on whether she was not harmed because of a possible connection with them.
The incident happened on July 12 while Carpenter was watching television inside his residence in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. He was shot during the attack, according to authorities.
Carpenter was a renowned American marine biologist and conservationist known for his groundbreaking work on marine biodiversity in the Philippines. His research helped establish the Verde Island Passage as the “center of the center” of marine shorefish biodiversity. He also served as a key expert witness in the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration case.
Despite the personal angle being investigated, the SITG-PNP said it is not ruling out the possibility that Carpenter’s work in marine science and conservation may have been connected to his killing.
Authorities continue to gather evidence and investigate all possible motives behind the death of the American scientist.
