A 45-year-old man was found dead inside his room in Sitio Siazon Park, Barangay 1, San Lorenzo, Laoag City on the morning of 13 May, authorities said.
Personnel of the Laoag City Police Station, along with members of the Bureau of Fire Protection, responded to the area at around 8:00 a.m. following a report of a recovered cadaver. The victim, a native of Quezon City who was currently residing in Barangay 1, San Lorenzo, was later identified by authorities.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim’s neighbor, Mark Lester Dela Cruz Duldulao, 44, discovered the lifeless body lying on the victim’s bed at around 7:30 a.m. He immediately sought medical and police assistance after making the discovery.
Further inquiry showed that the victim had reportedly been suffering from stomach pain, loose bowel movement, and vomiting since around 8:30 a.m. on 12 May, according to his nephew, Francis Joed Duldulao Jimenez, 31.
Responding investigators conducted an ocular inspection of the room and found no signs of violence or foul play. Authorities also noted that the victim’s personal belongings and valuables remained intact.
Dr. Rodrigo Catcatan of the Laoag City Health Office, who conducted the post-mortem examination, confirmed that there were no externally inflicted injuries on the body. The cause of death was determined to be cardiac arrest secondary to acute myocardial infarction. Authorities estimated that the victim had been dead for approximately four hours before being discovered.