Live-in partner among persons of interest in killing of American marine biologist

Police have identified two persons of interest in the fatal shooting of American marine biologist Kent Carpenter inside his home in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, authorities said Tuesday.

The persons of interest are Carpenter’s live-in partner and her sibling, according to Negros Oriental Provincial Police Director Col. Timmar Alam as reported by Mark Makalalad in Super radyo dzBB.

Inconsistencies

Alam, who heads the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) formed to investigate the case, said investigators noted inconsistencies in the statements given by Carpenter’s live-in partner.

Read: Who is Kent Carpenter? The marine biologist whose work backed PH arbitral win

Police also said the woman initially claimed she had been sexually assaulted during the incident, but the allegation was not supported by the results of a vaginal swab examination, which yielded negative findings.

Authorities added that the suspects allegedly did not harm the woman during the attack, leading investigators to consider the possibility that the assailants may have known her as a local resident.

Meanwhile, the woman’s sibling was included among the persons of interest because of frequent visits to Carpenter’s residence, police said.

Motive

Investigators are looking into several possible motives, including robbery.

Police are also examining whether Carpenter’s work as a marine biologist could have been a factor in the killing.

Carpenter was known for his research on coral reefs and marine biodiversity, and authorities noted that his scientific work had contributed to the Philippines’ case in the 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea.

Carpenter was shot dead after three unidentified men reportedly forced their way into his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, late Sunday night. He was watching television when one of the suspects allegedly shot him in the head before the group fled. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA News