Christine Dacera's body embalmed before medico-legal exam

The body of Christine Dacera was embalmed before it was examined for medico-legal purposes.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras", medico-legal officer Police Major Michael Sarmiento admitted that he had the Dacera's remains embalmed even without the consent of her family.

It was also done before an autopsy.

"So mali 'yung procedure. Ewan ko kung nagkamali lang o alam niyang mali pero ginawa pa rin," said Atty. Roger Reyes, the legal counsel of the Dacera family.

Reyes said the Dacera family already filed an administrative complaint against Sarmiento to the Philippine National Police earlier.

Meanwhile, Sarmiento has yet to comment on the matter.

Dacera, a 23-year-old flight attendant, was found dead in the bathtub of a hotel room in Makati on New Year’s Day. She had checked in to celebrate New Year’s Eve with her friends.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police insisted that Dacera was raped prior to her death. There was also the speculation that she was drugged.

Dacera’s family believe she did not die of aortic aneurysm, contrary to the earlier medical report released and has since gone viral on social media.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation would conduct a second autopsy on Dacera’s body to determine the real cause of her death.

The Makati City Prosecutor's office found no sufficient evidence against the suspects in the alleged killing and rape of the flight attendant.

It ordered that those detained in connection with the death released.

An administrative complaint has been filed against Sarmiento by the family, who want him removed from his post.

The Makati City Prosecutor's office found no sufficient evidence against the suspects in the alleged killing and rape of the flight attendant.

It ordered that those detained in connection with the death released. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News