A 23-year-old Vivamax actress, identified as Gina Lima, was declared dead on arrival at the Quezon City General Hospital after being rushed there by her former boyfriend, model Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, on November 16, according to a report from TV Patrol.
Police said Ronquillo told investigators that he noticed something was wrong when he looked over and saw Lima unresponsive beside him. PMAJ Jennifer Gannaban of Quezon City Police Station 1 said, “N’ung tiningnan niya ‘yung katabi niya, parang wala nang buhay. Kaya isinugod na sa ospital.”
Gannaban added that it was the hospital that first alerted authorities. “Hospital po mismo ‘yung tumawag sa Police Station 1 na nagsasabing may insidente na ganun. Kaya pinuntahan po ng Station 1 and ‘yun nga po ‘yung nailagay nila sa report,” she said.
Scene of the Crime Operatives later inspected Ronquillo’s condominium unit, where Lima was found before being taken to the hospital. Investigators reported no signs of a struggle at the location.
An initial medical report listed Lima’s cause of death as cardiorespiratory distress. Police, however, noted the presence of bruises on her thighs but stressed that these findings do not establish foul play.
PltCol. Edison Ouano, chief of the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said investigators must rely on scientific examination. “Sa initial cursory examination natin sa mga investigator, so far wala pong nakitang stragulation o mga pasa na dahilan sa pagkamatay ng biktima. I-open natin [sa autopsy] kapag may doubt tayo kung may foul play o natural cause, para malaman talaga kung ano talaga ang cause ng ikinamatay ng isang biktima,” he said.
Police also clarified that Lima and Ronquillo had not been in a relationship for about three years.
Friends of the young actress, shocked by her sudden death, have taken to social media to express their grief, with some questioning the marks found on her body as authorities continue their investigation.
