Widow in bedroom slay a no-show once more

The wife of slain Japanese businessman Hiro Murakami has stood up the Parañaque City police anew.

This time, Carmelita Murakami, failed to show up for an interview with investigators for her sworn statement, city police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles said yesterday.

Estilles said Carmelita and Joel Valle, her son from a previous marriage, had a 10 a.m. appointment with investigators last Tuesday but failed to show up.

She earlier refused to take a paraffin test, saying she was suffering from hypertension and diabetes. Valle also failed to show up for a paraffin test.

The Japanese businessman was killed inside his bedroom last May 8. At least two assailants stabbed and shot the pebble exporter while he was asleep at his house in Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque.

Carmelita claimed she slept on the floor when the incident happened. Police suspect inheritance could be the motive after they ruled out robbery, a love triangle and business rivalry.

Estilles said Carmelita may initially be charged with obstruction of justice for failing to rush her husband to the hospital or immediately inform the police about the incident.

"It was an hour after they discovered the victim’s bloodied body that they called up the police. That’s tantamount to abandonment. Anybody in his right mind would immediately call up the hospital at least, especially if he was in the same bedroom as the victim," he said. "Only a hospital can declare a person dead. Not even the police can do that."

Estilles pointed out that when police asked household members why they failed to call up the hospital right away, Murakamis’ teenage son, Artemio Hiro said everyone was simply shocked and confused.

Investigators and representatives from the Japanese Embassy had scheduled a case conference yesterday afternoon.

Hiro had told police that it was his habit, whenever he goes out to jog, to close the gate but don’t lock it.