ORMOC CITY– A 29-year-old woman who had been reported missing for nearly two weeks was found dead around 2:20 pm on Wednesday, June 11, in the mangrove area near the shoreline of Barangay Napotican, Salvacion, Laoang, Northern Samar.
The victim, identified by police as alias “Thelma,” a resident of Brgy. Candawid, Laoang, and living with a partner, was discovered by local fishermen who immediately alerted the village officials.
According to the Laoang Municipal Police Station, they were informed about the discovery around 3:15 pm by the Punong Barangay of Salvacion.
Personnel from the police and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) responded and confirmed the presence of a lifeless female body in the area.
The victim’s live-in partner later identified the remains and told investigators that Thelma had been suffering from a mental illness. She had reportedly left their home unnoticed about two weeks ago and did not return. In the days that followed, residents claimed to have seen her wandering the streets of Barangay Salvacion Napotican.
Despite attempts by concerned individuals to approach her and bring her home, she reportedly avoided contact and sought isolation.
The victim’s family had been continuously searching for her until her body was found.
Police are conducting a follow-up investigation to determine whether foul play was involved. The Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Laoang has been tapped to conduct a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.
(ROBERT DEJON)
