Woman’s Body Found in Cornfield Identified

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police have identified the woman whose body was found in a cornfield in San Enrique, Iloilo.

The daughter of Hera Torrecampo, 54, of Barangay Boulevard, Molo, Iloilo City, confirmed that her mother was the woman discovered in Barangay San Antonio, San Enrique, on the morning of June 19.

Her daughter, Jade Beaneza, said she last saw Torrecampo on June 17.

Beaneza said her mother was living with a cousin but would usually visit daily to ask for an allowance.

She became concerned when her mother failed to show up for two days.

Her aunt later informed her that Torrecampo had not returned home either.

They began to suspect that the unidentified woman found in San Enrique could be Torrecampo due to her distinct tattoos.

Lt. Christy Val Dalde, San Enrique police chief, said Torrecampo may have been killed elsewhere and her body dumped in Barangay San Antonio.

She suffered a head injury believed to have been caused by a hard object.

She also had hematomas on both eyes and abrasions on various parts of her body.

On June 18, Leganes police briefly took custody of Torrecampo after she was reported for breaking bottles at Bangga Mauring in Poblacion, Leganes.

Capt. General Enrique Robles, Leganes police chief, said she was incoherent and gave different names, identifying herself first as Mary Jane Hechanova Torrecampo and later as Mary Jane Marijuana.

Personnel from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office took custody of her, believing she was mentally challenged.

She was brought to the police station, where she was fed.

Torrecampo later claimed she lived in Pavia.

When she was brought there, barangay officials said they did not know her.

She then claimed she was from Molo, Iloilo City.

Leganes police eventually turned her over to Iloilo City Police Station 4.

Capt. Ryan Christ Inot, station commander, said Torrecampo also claimed to be from Passi City and gave no clear statement.

She left the station Wednesday afternoon.

Police did not detain her since she had not committed any offense.

By 8:10 a.m. Thursday, she was found dead.

Her daughter said Torrecampo had a history of mental illness, had received psychiatric care at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital and was on maintenance medication.

She had previously entered strangers’ homes and taken their belongings.

Dalde said they are investigating whether she was killed after entering a house and stealing.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage as part of the investigation.