Toni Rose: I thank God for the 27 years with James

Was it a suicide, according to the police report? Or was it a freak accident, according to the family?

The circumstances surrounding the death of Edward James Gayda Lim, one of two sons of Toni Rose Gayda and ex-husband Moonie Lim, and grandson of Red Cross Gov. Rosa Rosal, became subject of speculations because of the conflicting versions.

James, 27, fell to his death from the veranda of the condo unit he was sharing with his mom, his grandma and his younger brother John at the fourth floor of the posh Pinnacle Condominium in Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City, at dawn of Thursday, March 19. It was Moonie’s family that built the condominium where other celebrities live. Kris Aquino and Phillip Salvador used to live there when they were still together (it’s now Phillip and his new love staying there) and the rumored girlfriend of a former high government official. 

James’ remains were cremated on Thursday and his wake will be held until tonight at the Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Toni Rose’s driver was quoted by the police as saying that James jumped to his death because he was depressed. But the driver insisted that he never said that and even denied it in an affidavit he signed yesterday.

“It was an accident,” Toni Rose told Funfare Update in an interview at Santuario yesterday afternoon. “James woke up at around 4 o’clock in the morning and he started smoking. Pinagalitan ko pa nga because I didn’t want him to smoke.”

Then, James went to the veranda and sat at the railing as he continued smoking. He was 6’2” tall and Toni Rose surmised that he must have lost his balance and fell. An occupant at the second floor reported to the guard that there was a loud thud followed by the sound of groaning. When the guard checked, he found James writhing on the pavement.

“There was no blood on his face when I saw him,” said Toni Rose. “He was saying, ‘I am in pain. Pain, pain, pain!’ and he was asking for water. We rushed him to the hospital (Cardinal Santos Medical Center) and he died 30 minutes later. Wala akong nakitang injuries sa katawan niya.”

It turned out that James broke his right ribcage and must have crushed his liver as he shielded his face with his right arm. His right elbow was broken. His neck was smashed but not broken.

“James was intelligent,” Toni Rose added, “and if he wanted to commit suicide he would have gone to the 12th floor and jumped from there para sigurado.”

Moonie expressed the same opinion when interviewed yesterday by Startalk.

“I built the Pinnacle and if my son intended to kill himself he would have jumped from the 12th floor,” said Moonie who clarified that Toni Rose’s driver was “misquoted” by the police.

There was no premonition at all.

“The night before,” Rosa told Funfare Update, “I checked on James at his room at 8 o’clock and he was busy on his computer as usual. Mabait na bata ‘yan.”

But three days before the tragedy, Toni Rose said that she found a white Armani shirt in her cabinet and gave it to James, saying he could wear it in a special occasion.

“I didn’t know that it would be a sad occasion,” said Toni Rose, her voice breaking. “When I went home from the hospital to look for clothes for James, I cried as I hugged his pillow and his blanket. I didn’t want James’ smell to go away.”

Rosa was with James until he breathed his last.

“We praise God for the good times and we should also praise God during bad times,” Rosa said. “James is with God now; he is at peace with Him. By coincidence, James died on the 29th death anniversary of my mother who didn’t live long enough to see her apo sa tuhod.”

Added Toni Rose, “James has found his real father. He’s in a better place now. I thank God for letting me have James for 27 years. He’s home with God now.”

John said he couldn’t imagine going home without James.

“We shared good times together,” said John.

After the wake, the urn containing James’ ashes will be enthroned at an altar in his grandma Rosa’s room.

“We decided to cremate his remains because we want James to still be with us,” said Toni Rose.

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