Police track second suspect in killing of 22-year-old student in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Police authorities are tracking down a second suspect in the death of a 22-year-old student known as “Bhea,” whose body was found inside a boarding house on Gomez-Burgos Street, Barangay 7, Cagayan de Oro City, on Thursday evening.

Investigation showed that Bhea, who rented Room 12, was last seen alive on Valentine’s Day, 14 February. Her body was later discovered in Room 1, already in a state of decomposition.

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) has identified two persons of interest in connection with the case. The primary person of interest is the victim’s boardmate, a job-order employee with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD).

CDRRMD chief Nick Jabagat said the employee failed to report for a scheduled shift on 16 February, prompting a unit chief to check on him at the boarding house, where Bhea’s body was found.

A second person of interest has also been identified, although authorities have not released further details pending verification. Police said they are investigating the individual’s background to determine possible involvement.

COCPO spokesperson Police Capt. Emelita Simon said investigators are leaving “no stone unturned” in gathering evidence and pursuing leads.

“We assure the victim’s family and the community that we are using all available investigative methods to resolve this case,” she added.

A strong odor coming from Room 1 of the boarding house along Burgos Street in Barangay 7 prompted the caretaker to seek police assistance. Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) forced open the room and found the body of the student, who had been occupying Room 12 in the same lodging house, with a hack wound to the neck and several other injuries.

According to the caretaker, the victim was last seen alive on 14 February, leaving her room.

Police investigators recovered a partially broken knife believed to have been left in the room where the body was found.

The main suspect, who was also a boarder in the lodging house, was likewise last seen on Valentine’s Day. The first suspect, a personnel of the City Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), has reportedly stopped reporting for work since last week.

Police investigators are looking into a possible crime of passion as the motive behind the killing.