Police are probing the deaths of a 23-year-old freelance model and her boyfriend, found just three days apart in the same Quezon City home.
The model, Gina Lima, was declared dead on arrival at Quezon City General Hospital on Sunday night, Nov. 16, after being discovered unresponsive inside the residence of her boyfriend, Ivan Ronquillo, in Barangay Apolonio Samson.
Ronquillo appeared before the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) the following day, Nov. 17, telling investigators that the two had arrived at his home that morning and took a nap at noon. He later found Lima unresponsive in the evening.
An initial autopsy released on Nov. 18 noted early post-mortem changes, mild heart congestion, and swollen lungs, but no fatal external injuries.
Police said toxicology and histopathology results are still pending to determine the exact cause of her death.
“Kailangan antayin din natin ‘yung resulta ng toxicology examination para dun sa iba pang cause of death. Kasi dito nga sa initial is hindi fatal. So ibig sabihin, hindi ‘yun ‘yung ikinamatay niya,” said Police Maj. Jennifer Gannaban, QCPD spokesperson.
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Ronquillo himself was found dead inside the same house.
Police said Ronquillo was found by a tenant hanging from the metal stairs outside the house.
The neighbor immediately informed Ronquillo’s father, who then sought assistance from a Barangay Apolonio Samson official.
He was transported to Quezon City General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival at 7:20 a.m.
A cursory examination revealed no external injuries other than the ligature mark on his neck. Ronquillo’s relatives told authorities that prior to the incident, he had been experiencing emotional distress following the sudden death of his girlfriend.
The victim’s father voluntarily submitted a handwritten waiver expressing the family’s belief that the incident was a case of suicide and stating that they would no longer pursue further investigation.
Nevertheless, police said they will treat the case like any other and will continue conducting standard follow‑up procedures to ensure proper and complete documentation. (Allysa Nievera)
