Cop: Autopsy will prove if Davao girl committed suicide or was killed

Sun.Star: DAVAO CITY -- The result of the autopsy done on the 12-year-old Mariannet "Manette" Amper, who was earlier believed to have committed suicide, will prove or dismiss speculations surrounding her death. Talomo police chief Matthew Baccay said the result, which is scheduled to be released Friday, will be their basis on whether to file charges against anyone or just close the case. Baccay said speculations regarding Manette as an abused child would finally be laid to rest if the autopsy result would prove it is not so. He said though that if the autopsy result would prove that she was raped or that there was foul play in her death, then they would file charges against the perpetrator or perpetrators. Baccay clarified however that at this point in time, they still have not identified any perpetrator in the girl's death. TV reports on Thursday said probers found lacerations in Manette’s genitals indicating that she was possibly raped or sexually abused. Baccay also said that based on their investigation, they have not seen anything in the crime scene which the child could have used to hang herself. He added that the Amper siblings were surprised because the rope around Manette's neck was tied "meticulously." Manette's sister claimed the victim does not know how to tie a knot. "Sabi pa nga ng kapatid ni Manet na syang unang nakakita sa kanya, murag nay tiguwang daw na nagbitay kay Manet didto," Baccay narrated. (Manette's sibling even said she thought she saw someone hang Manette.) Baccay also revealed that the distance from Manette's foot to the floor is just about two inches and she could have easily tipped her toe to prevent death. He said the autopsy result would also show whether Mannette indeed hanged herself or she was already dead when hanged. Asked if an outsider could have hanged Manette, Baccay said that based on their observation of the place, there was no way that an outsider killed her since the Ampers have 13 dogs guarding the property. Baccay said they have interviewed all relatives of Manette who live in the same house and they were with the girl a few hours before she died. The autopsy was conducted by Dr. Tomas Dimaandal of the Scene of the Crime Operation (Soco) Thursday. Baccay said the result is expected to be released Friday. - Sun.Star