Freelance model Gina Lima dead on arrival after being rushed to hospital by ex-BF

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is currently investigating the death of freelance model Gina Lima, who was declared dead on arrival after being rushed to the Quezon City General Hospital by her ex-boyfriend. 

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras,” Tuesday, Lima's siblings and the father of her ex-boyfriend separately arrived at the CIDU office, but both declined to give statements to the media.

CIDU-QCPD Chief PLtCol. Edison Ouano said that Lima's siblings so far have not mentioned whether their sister reported receiving threats or being physically hurt prior to the incident. 

“Tinanong natin kung meron bang pagbabanta or nagsusumbong ba ‘yung biktima na sinasaktan, so far, wala pa naman binabanggit ‘yung dalawang kapatid,” said Ouano.

Initial investigation showed Lima and her ex-boyfriend were together when she was found unresponsive inside the man’s home in Quezon City.

“So noong November 15, nag-inom itong dalawa—‘yung biktima at ‘yung ex-boyfriend niya—sa condo ng babae. Tapos noong November 16, umuwi sila kasama na ‘yung babae sa bahay ng lalaki ngayon,” Ouano said. 

“Mga alas-otso ng umaga ‘yon, natulog sila ng mga alas-dose ng tanghali, tapos pagkagising ng ex-boyfriend ng mga alas-otso ng gabi noong November 16, pilit niyang gisingin ‘yung biktima pero unresponsive na. So tinawag ni ex-boyfriend ‘yung tatay niya at sinugod agad nila sa Quezon City General Hospital.”

Lima was declared dead on arrival, and the initial medical report listed cardio-respiratory distress as the cause of death.

The case gained traction online after claims circulated that Lima was allegedly beaten by her ex-boyfriend. However, according to police, early findings do not support this angle.

“Initial findings, walang komosyon na nangyari doon. Organized ‘yung kwarto,” Ouano said. “May mga kaunting pasa sa legs pero mga tuldok-tuldok lang, tapos tiningnan... sa mga investigator natin, pinatingnan agad dito 'yung leeg at tsaka 'yung sa mukha kung may signs ng strangulation at tsaka ‘yung pinigilan ‘yung paghinga, so initially sir wala naman nakitang ganoon na pasa.”

He also explained the scratches found on the ex-boyfriend’s face.

“Noong nalaman ng mga kaibigan ng biktima, sumugod agad sila sa ospital so doon sila nagpang-abot ng ex-boyfriend. Siguro doon na sinugod tapos kinalmot ng mga kaibigan. ‘Yun ang allegation ng ex-boyfriend,” he said, adding that police have a video of the commotion.

Police are also looking into another possible angle.

“May tableta tsaka suspected kush, so pending po sa result ng laboratory exam,” Ouano said.

The ex-boyfriend’s father refused to be interviewed but was reportedly confident his son would be cleared.

CIDU is awaiting the official autopsy results to determine Lima's cause of death.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News