Gina Lima’s death not due to beating; ex-bf found dead—QCPD

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Wednesday said that freelance model Gina Lima did not die due to beating based on the results of the autopsy.

In a press briefing, QCPD spokesperson Police Major Jennifer Gannaban was asked if the autopsy results mean that Lima did not die from beating.

"Yes po, parang ganun po 'yung sinasabi nitong medical examination (Yes, that is what this medical examination shows.)

Gannaban said the autopsy findings showed “non-fatal external injuries.” Aside from these, heart congestion and congested lungs were also detected on Lima’s body, she added.

“According po dito sa medico-legal certification, ang findings po ng autopsy is presence of non-fatal external injuries, presence of heart congestion and congested lungs. 'Yun po 'yung nakalagay,” Gannaban said.

(According to the medico-legal certification, there was presence of non-fatal external injuries, presence of heart congestion and congested lungs.)

READ: Who is Gina Lima? 5 things about the late actress-model

The QCPD spokesperson noted that the cause of death has yet to be determined pending the results of the toxicology examination.

“Ibig sabihin, non-fatal, 'yung mga nakita pong pasa doon sa hita niya is hindi po 'yun fatal. So kailangan antayin din po natin 'yung resulta ng toxicology examination para doon sa iba pang cause of death para makita po. Kasi dito nga po sa initial is hindi po fatal,” she said.

(That means, non-fatal, the bruises seen on her thigh are not fatal. So we also need to wait for the results of the toxicology examination to see the other possible cause of death. Because initially it is not fatal.)

“As to cause of death, 'yung exact po na cause of death, it cannot be determined pending the toxicology result. So 'yun pa po 'yung hinihintay natin sa ngayon,” she added.

(As for cause of death, the exact cause of death, it cannot be determined pending the toxicology result. So that’s what we are waiting for now.)

According to the QCPD, tablets and marijuana kush were recovered in the area of the incident.

On November 15, Lima and her ex-boyfriend had a drinking session in her condo unit and went to his place on November 16. Around 12 noon, the two slept in the condo. 

Around 8 p.m., the ex-boyfriend woke up and noticed that Lima was unresponsive. He called his father and took Lima to the hospital where she was declared dead on arrival, according to the police.

The case gained traction online after claims circulated that Lima was allegedly beaten by her ex-boyfriend. 

According to the QCPD, the ex-boyfriend was considered as a witness only and not a person of interest. The ex-boyfriend earlier said he was not aware of the bruises on Lima’s body, the police added.

Ex-bf found dead

In Darlene Cay’s report in “Saksi”, the ex-boyfriend’s family expressed their sadness over his death. 

“Mahal na mahal kita. Hindi kita nayakap. Pero kung kailan patay ka na, tsaka kita nayakap. Hindi ko naipadama 'yung yakap na iyon,” his father said. 

(I really love you. I wasn’t able to hug you. It’s too late that I only hugged you when you were already dead. I feel bad for not letting you experience that embrace.) 

His family said that he was grieving over his former girlfriend’s passing, but the bashing online did not help his situation. 

“Tinitignan namin na isa sa mga nagging sanhi ng kamatayan ng pamangkin ko, ay yung kanyang pagkamatay, ay dahil sa sobrang dami na ng nag-judge sa kanya sa social media. Hindi ko alam kung saan nila kinuha ang kanilang mga impormasyon. Sana maging lesson ito sa lahat na hindi kayo dapat nagja-judge, inaalam niyo muna [dapat] yung storya,” a relative said. 

(We are looking at the possibility that one of the causes of my nephew's death, or his passing, was due to the overwhelming number of people who judged him on social media. I don't know where they got their information. I hope this serves as a lesson to everyone that you shouldn't be judging right away, you should first find out the whole story.) 

Further, the QCPD said that the ex-boyfriend is considered as a witness and not a suspect as they have yet to see any evidence of foul play in Lima’s death. —AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News