'Sexual desire' leads embalmer to kill 78-year-old woman in Leyte

A 37-YEAR-OLD embalmer admitted to killing a 78-year-old married woman due to alleged “sexual desire” in Babatngon, Leyte Wednesday, September 23.

Police identified the suspect as Ramel Dela Cruz, single, a resident of Ridge View Channel, Barangay District-I in Babatngon.

The victim, Magdalena Abuga, housewife and a resident of the same village, was already in a state of decomposition when found by barangay officials around 7:50 a.m. Wednesday.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim's body was covered with thrash and was left behind at the garbage yard beside Tapitan Funeral Parlor in Barangay District-I.

She was pronounced dead by strangulation at the place of incident by Dr. Julieta Conge, municipal health officer, said police.

A responding police officer arrested Dela Cruz around 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The suspect was brought to Babatngon Municipal Police Station for the formal filing of charges. (SunStar Philippines)