The common-law couple who was found dead at a condominium in Davao City on April 21, 2024, may have been killed while sleeping, police said.

Based on the autopsy, the couple died of stab wounds. The two have have awakened when they were stabbed and tried to fight back, as shown by the defense wounds found in their bodies.

“Ang cause of death sa lalaking biktima is multiple stab wounds sa iyang dughan and then sa babaeng biktima is samad dinunggaban sa liog. Naa silay defense wounds nakuha nato nga naa pay panlaban during the incident,” Davao City Police Office, Captain Hazel Tuazon, said.

Investigators said bloodstains were found at the elevator, at the sixth and seventh floors of the building, and at the room where the two persons of interest stayed.

From the third floor where the couple stayed, the body of the male victim may have been dragged to the sixth or seventh floor where the suspects dropped it to the ground. The woman was found lifeless in the room.

One of the persons of interest allegedly booked the unit for the victims. Fingerprints were found inside the victims’ room.

“Naa tay nakuha nga CCTV, nangaon pa sila sa Saturday... dakong question nganong Sunday the whole day wala gi-check kung okay pa ba si Ma'am Jen sa kwarto nga gi-stay-han... in fact, almost tapad lang ang ilang room, room 323 and room 319,” Tuazon said.

The couple flew to Davao City to supposedly to watch a concert.

Police are waiting for the result of the forensic examination, which determines if the evidence collected would lead to the persons of interest.

Davao City Police Director (DCPO) Director, Colonel Richard Bad-ang, reminded all owners of establishments to ensure that CCTV cameras are working as required by the local government.

Bad-ang said CCTV footage could have helped solve the crime quicker but the cameras were not working. 

“Kung nasira man yan immediately dapat sana ayusin nila kasi we don’t know when crimes will happen in their area and definitely itong CCTV will help us, will ease the work of the police in the investigation and backtracking especially on the identification of the suspects,” Bad-ang said.