Suspect in rape-slay of girl in Candelaria found dead in jail

The suspect in the rape-slay of an 8-year-old girl in Candelaria, Quezon was found dead on Wednesday morning inside the jail facility, police said.

Information from Candelaria Municipal Police Station said suspect Ricardo Burce, 55, did not respond when his fellow inmate tried to wake him up inside the custodial facility in Barangay Poblacion.

Burce's fellow inmate immediately informed the matter to the jail officer who was on duty.

Authorities then brought Burce to Candelaria District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival by the physician.

Burce was accused in raping and killing an 8-year-old girl, who had been missing for one week in Candelaria earlier this month.

The suspect initially denied committing the crime but admitted to killing the child. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News