Bree Jonson's family yet to receive 'conclusive' autopsy report — counsel

The legal team of Breanna "Bree" Jonson's family on Thursday claimed her body bore signs of struggle contrary to "statements circulating on social media."

In a statement, Sunga Salandaan and Ampuan Law Offices said there were bruises in some parts of Jonson's body aside from the ones on her neck.

“Contrary to prior statements circulating on social media, the initial medicolegal report of Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) showed signs of struggle,” it said.

“There were bruises found in some parts of Breanna’s body other than her neck. The National Bureau of Investigation shall conduct another autopsy in Manila," it added.

The NBI said it conducted the autopsy on Thursday morning.

The law firm said Jonson’s family has yet to receive a final and conclusive autopsy report of her body as well as medico legal report for the injuries of Julian Ongpin, her last known companion and also the son of prominent businessman Roberto Ongpin.

On Wednesday, the Philippine National Police said Jonson’s body was brought to ITRMC while the PNP was coordinating with her parents for the conduct of the autopsy.

The PNP said Jonson's parents initially told the police that they would let the NBI handle the case but eventually agreed to have the PNP Crime Laboratory do the autopsy.

Jonson’s body was brought to the Regional Crime Laboratory at the PRO1 Headquarters for the autopsy since the ITRMC refused to conduct it inside its facility due to COVID-19 protocols, the police said.

'Heated altercation'

The family's counsel said they viewed the CCTV footage with the PNP and the NBI. According to them, Jonson and Ongpin had a "heated altercation" minutes before she was found unconscious in their rented room in La Union.

"Based on what we saw, Breanna and Julian had a heated altercation minutes before she was found unconscious in their hotel room. The two were in and out of their room for a few minutes before they eventually locked themselves in," it said.

When Ongpin returned, he entered the room for a few seconds and went out again to grab a ladder, the law firm said.

It added Ongpin positioned it against the wall outside their room, which has the room's comfort room window. He then climbed the ladder and removed three layers of jalousie, after which he stepped down and paced by the hostel lobby.

Ongpin entered their room for five minutes then went down the stairs, the law firm said. A hostel staff came up to open the room with him.

"Thereafter, Julian went down the stairs and a hostel staff came up to open the room with him. Breanna’s body can now be seen from the lobby’s CCTV," the firm said.

"Not long after, the incident was reported to the authorities and the police arrived. She was brought to the hospital and declared dead on arrival."

The autopsy facilitated by the police indicated that the cause of Jonson's death was asphyxia. --KBK, GMA News