Brother arrested after woman found dead in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY — A 65-year-old woman was believed to have been dead for several hours when her body was found inside a cabinet at her home in Molo, Iloilo City.

Initial indications suggested that alias “Marilou” may have been killed several hours before her body was discovered around 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 3 at her residence inside the Layson Compound in Zone 2, Barangay Compania Central, Molo.

Linens had been used to conceal her body.

Police identified the victim’s younger brother, 45-year-old Reginald, as the suspect.

The discovery came after one of their siblings went looking for Marilou to invite her to dinner.

Family members tried to contact her but could not reach her.

They then forced open the main door of her house.

To their surprise, Reginald was inside the living room.

Family members said he was splashing a considerable amount of water and scrubbing the entire living room area.

They also noticed that he appeared uneasy and restless.

The siblings offered to assist him in cleaning the area.

The suspect then went outside and fled the residence.

Moments later, family members discovered Marilou’s body inside the house.

Initial reports showed that the victim sustained several stab wounds to the left side of her back, as well as multiple stab wounds to the front left side of her body, neck and left arm.

Police recovered a knife inside the room.

A mosquito net had also been used to wrap the victim’s body.

Police investigators noted signs of an apparent attempt to cover the body with cement.

Relatives said Marilou and Reginald had a verbal altercation the night before the incident.

They allegedly argued again on the morning Marilou was believed to have been killed.

Police arrested the suspect later that evening while he was about to buy a meal in Barangay San Juan, Molo.

Relatives said Reginald had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was undergoing treatment for the condition.

Police did not say whether the reported medical condition was related to the incident.