THE student whose decomposing body was found days after he was reported missing died because of suffocation and strangulation, Senior Inspector Edgar Gulmatico, chief of Police Station 3, said on Sunday.
Gulmatico said the cause of the victim’s death is stated in the autopsy report.
The body of Jerameel Esmeria, 19, a pharmacy student, and resident of Purok Sawmill 1, Barangay Bata, Bacolod City was found bundled with blankets with his head wrapped in plastic Wednesday afternoon.
However, one of the persons believed to have killed him was released Sunday from the detention cell of Police Station 3 because the reglementary period has already lapsed, Superintendent Jefferson Descallar, deputy for operation of Bacolod City Police Office, said.
He said the lawyer of the victim’s family assured the police that they will draft an affidavit for the filing of case against Izhar Castandiello, 37, a water delivery boy and a resident of Purok Katilingban, Barangay Bata.
Descallar said although the suspect was released, murder case will still be filed against him before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
He added that they will wait for the issuance of the arrest warrant to apprehend the suspect again.
The victim’s body was found by his brother at the second floor of his house. His personal belongings including his cellular phone, laptop computer, and wallet containing P2,000 were missing, police records show.