The suspect in the tragic death of an 84-year-old woman, who was set on fire in Carcar, Cebu, was found dead inside his detention cell.
According to police reports, the suspect died from a throat infection caused by swallowing the handle of a toilet brush. It remains unclear where he obtained the brush or whether he was rushed to a hospital after the incident.
The elderly woman, who suffered third-degree burns, passed away on January 17, 2025, after being hospitalized for several days. A viral video captured the suspect pouring gasoline on the victim while she was doing laundry and setting her on fire.
Authorities revealed that the suspect, allegedly intoxicated at the time, instructed his child to film the attack. The victim’s grandchild recounted the harrowing event, saying, “Papa gave me the cellphone and told me to record my grandmother. Then I saw him take a tumbler with gasoline out of his bag.”
Investigators noted that the suspect had longstanding grudges against the victim, accusing her of influencing his wife’s decisions. The suspect reportedly claimed that his wife had not returned home, further fueling his anger.
