Swiss found dead inside hotel room

Manila police are investigating the death yesterday of a Swiss national in his hotel in Manila in what was initially believed as a case of suicide.

Western Police District (WPD) Homicide unit investigators said they found the body of tourist Peter Weber, 55, in his suite at 144 Garden Plaza hotel in Paco, Manila, with a bullet wound in his right temple that exited on top of his head. The bullet was reportedly found imbedded in the room’s ceiling.

WPD investigators said the Swede was fully dressed in a yellow-green long-sleeved shirt, black slacks, and leather shoes when first found by a roomboy at past noon yesterday. A caliber .380 Llama pistol was found beside his body in the room’s bathroom.

The apparent suicide was discovered after a roomboy came to the room but got no response despite continuous knocking.

Weber was in a kneeling position when found with his chin resting on the side of the bathtub. Weber has reportedly been residing in his suite for the last two years.

The victim’s body was already stiff when police removed it. He is estimated to have been dead for at least six hours.

Investigators said Weber may have long planned the suicide as the dates Oct. 6 and 7 were reportedly conspicuously marked in his calendar while the words "I love you all" was reportedly inscribed on the bathroom mirror. Pictures of Filipino women reportedly adorned that mirror.

Police said they also found a brown envelope in the room containing all the travel documents of Weber. Investigators said Weber is a tourist but has property in Batangas, which they did not specify.

Meanwhile, police are investigating the death of an American in a sauna of a hotel in Pasay City Friday.

Superintendent Eduardo dela Cerna said that they are looking at the possibility of foul play in the death of David Ryan, a businessman of 591 Batangas St., Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City.

Based on the investigation, the victim checked in at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel in the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex at around 12 noon last Thursday. – Jose Aravilla and Marvin Sy