Filipino couple died of cardiac arrest, drowning in Maldives, autopsy report bares

MANILA, Philippines — The autopsy report on the couple who died in the Maldives while on honeymoon revealed that the causes of their deaths were cardiac arrest and drowning.

This was confirmed by the father of Leomer Lagradilla in a report by GMA-7’s “Balitanghali.”

According to the father of Leomer, his son died of cardiac arrest while his daughter-in-law, Erika, drowned while saving her husband.

The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, which has the jurisdiction over the Maldives, initially reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the couple drowned off Dhiffushi island while snorkeling.

The couple got married last December 18 and traveled to the Maldives for their honeymoon on January 11.

Erika, 29, and Leomer, 30, were both nurses based in Singapore and Riyadh, respectively.

The remains of the couple arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 1 onboard Etihad Airways flight EY-424 at 3:26 p.m. on Saturday.

The bodies were then transported to Laguna on Saturday evening.

READ: Remains of Filipino couple who drowned in Maldives now in Laguna

The Maldives Ministry of Tourism shouldered the repatriation costs for the deceased couple but the DFA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration also gave assistance to the bereaved families.

Erika’s remains is now in her home in Sta. Cruz, Laguna for the wake but she will be brought to her husband’s home in Lumban, Laguna on Wednesday. The interment is set in Lumban Memorial Cemetery on January 26. — Rosette Adel