Gwen’s niece found dead

CEBU, Philippines - The 18-year-old niece of Cebu 3rd district Representative Gwen Garcia was found dead in an alleged suicide inside their house at the Corona del Mar subdivision in Talisay City, Cebu Tuesday night.

Gail Garcia, daughter of former Capitol security advisor Byron Garcia,  suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was already dead when brought to the South General Hospital in the City of Naga, according to the attending physician.

Gail was said to have killed herself Tuesday afternoon, but the incident was not immediately recorded by the police as it was only the hospital that called up the Talisay City Police Station to report the incident.

Police Officer 1 Joseph Bejer said the call came around 6 p.m. from a South General Hospital security guard regarding a dead person brought at the facility after committing suicide.

Responding Homicide Section operatives headed by SPO3 Rey Bucao proceeded to the hospital, where a nurse told them the identity of the dead person.

The nurse also told the investigators that Gail had a gunshot wound in her head that was likely the cause of her death.

After confirming the report, Bucao and his team went to Corona del Mar to investigate, but were denied entry by the subdivision’s security personnel.

A guard, however, told investigators that they saw Garcia’s car leave the subdivision in a hurry Tuesday afternoon but that they did not know what really happened.

The policemen could not further investigate because the head security guard barred them from entering Corona del Mar despite their attempt at negotiation.

Bucao and his companions then decided to go to Cebu Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels, Inc. in Mandaue City after they learned that Gail’s body was brought there.

The investigators saw Byron at the funeral homes but were unable to get a statement from him, especially on the reason why his daughter killed herself.

As of press time, the investigators could not ascertain what really happened and why Gail committed suicide.

The FREEMAN managed to contact Byron requested the media to respect their privacy as they mourn Gail’s passing.

“The family requests privacy at this time of great grief to allow us to mourn in private,” read a statement Byron sent to The FREEMAN.—/RHM (FREEMAN)