MANILA, Philippines — The body of an American woman stuffed in a box was found dumped in the Pasig River along the Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila early yesterday morning.
Police identified the fatality as Tomi Michelle Masters.
Manila Police District (MPD) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. said one of the suspects, Troy Woody Jr., an American, was arrested in connection with the killing of Masters.
Based on a witness’ account, police said Woody and his cohort known only as Islam allegedly dumped the victim’s remains into the river.
Probers said a Grab driver picked up the suspects at the Avida Towers at the corner of EDSA and Reliance street in Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City at past 2 a.m.
Carrying a box, the suspects asked the driver to drop them at a mall in Emita, Manila.
While in transit, the suspects told the Grab driver to take them instead to the Pasig River “for sight seeing.”
After his passengers got off the car, the driver went to the MPD Station 5 in Luneta and reported the incident.
Police said Kim’s body was placed in a garbage bag and wrapped with packing tape.
A team of investigators went to the victim’s condominium unit on the 14th floor of Avida Towers where she was allegedly killed.
Police turned over Woody to the Mandaluyong police.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the other suspect.