A woman was found dead inside a refrigerator at an apartment in Barangay San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal, on Wednesday, September 16, with police investigating a man who was reportedly the last person seen with her as a person of interest.
Rodriguez Municipal Police Station Chief Police Lt. Col. Arwyn Gaffud said Thursday that authorities were alerted after residents provided information about a woman discovered inside the apartment.
According to Gaffud, the victim was not dismembered to fit inside the refrigerator. A forensic examination instead found signs of a broken neck and a mark around her neck.
“Wala naman pong mga senyales na na-chop siya dahil base sa nakuhang forensic investigation, leeg na nabali na siya,” Gaffud said in an interview at DZRH's Breaktime.
Asked about the possible cause of death, Gaffud said police found no stab wounds but recovered a piece of rope at the crime scene that may have been used to strangle the victim.
“Wala naman pong saksak na nakita, pero meron yung marka sa leeg. So lumalabas na sinakal siya gamit ang isang tali na na-recover sa crime scene," he said.
Police have yet to determine whether the victim was sexually abused, noting that her body was already in a state of decomposition when discovered.
“Wala pa po tayong information na kung inabuso ba po ang babae o hindi,” Gaffud said, adding that authorities still need to establish whether sexual intercourse occurred.
Meanwhile, investigators have identified a male person of interest who was reportedly the last person to be with the victim at the apartment.
“Ang lumalabas po sa person of interest natin ay yung last niya nakasama roon sa apartment po,” Gaffud said.
Gaffud clarified that the man is not the apartment landlord. The landlord was the one who provided information to police regarding the incident and owns the apartment where the body was found.
Authorities are still establishing the exact relationship between the victim and the person of interest. Gaffud said their initial assessment indicates that the two may have had a relationship, as they reportedly came from the same place and rented and stayed together in the apartment.
“So far sir, ini-establish pa po natin kung ano sila, mag-syota o mag-partner. Pero base po sa aming assessment, may relasyon po sila kasi galing po sila sa isang lugar, dito po sila nangupahan. Magkasama sa isang bahay na apartment natin na tinutuluyan," he said.
Police are also seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the victim.
She is estimated to be 25 to 30 years old, approximately 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a fair complexion and a slim build.
The Rodriguez police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and are working to establish her identity and the full circumstances of the incident.
