‘Carlson case is closed’

Case closed.

Police officially declared yesterday that former beauty queen and retired actress Ma. Teresa Carlson committed suicide by jumping from the 23rd floor of her condominium in San Juan last Nov. 23.

Superintendent Rodrigo de Gracia, San Juan police chief, said investigation showed that there was no foul play in the death of Carlson, estranged wife of former Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.

De Gracia released their findings on the eve of Carlson’s burial at the family mausoleum in Laoag City.

Metro Manila police chief Director Edgar Aglipay fully supported the findings, saying the case is considered closed if the physical evidence jibed with the testimonies of witnesses.

De Gracia said that apart from a fractured skull and other injuries sustained due to impact of the fall, Carlson’s body showed no evidence of foul play.

Forensic tests also indicated that Carlson had an overdose of tranquilizers.

"We knew that she experienced depression before she committed suicide and that she had been acting strangely based on the (testimonies) of witnesses we have questioned," De Gracia said.

Carlson’s housemaid, Rochelle Flores, 27, said her employer kept telling her somebody was out to kill her.

"It was a clear bout of hallucination," De Gracia said, adding that the condominium was well secured.

De Gracia declined to say, however, if their findings would clear Fariñas of any liability arising from her death insofar as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is concerned.

The CHR has launched its own probe into the case to determine if Fariñas could be held liable for the death of his wife.

CHR Commissioner Aurora Navarette Reciña said it was common knowledge that Carlson was a battered wife as she had openly admitted on national television.

Reciña also said Carlson had once approached the CHR regarding her problems, but they failed to help her because she did not present her hospital records and also recanted her allegations against Farîñas.