A 20-year-old woman died after she was hacked with a pickaxe by her live-in partner in Barangay Abunda, Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The victim sustained hack wounds in the head and did not reach the hospital alive.

Police said the 27-year-old suspect went home to borrow the victim’s cellphone after drinking with friends. However, the victim allegedly refused and the two figured in an altercation, which eventually resulted in the suspect hacking the victim.

“Lumapit siya sa asawa niya para manghiram ng cellphone, and then, hindi siguro pinahiram, nagkaroon sila ng konting pagtatalo. Habang nagtatalo sila, itong ating suspek ay kumuha ng piko at hinampas yung ating biktima, yung kanyang live-in partner, hinampas sa ulo,” Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9) Spokesperson, Major Shellamie Chang, said.

When the victim lost consciousness, the suspect also hacked his neighbor whom he has personal issues with.

The neighbor was reportedly injured but still reportedly fought back, prompting the suspect to escape.

“Nagkaroon naman siya ng parang pagtatalo sa kanyang kapitbahay na lalaki wherein napag-alaman na meron pala silang personal na issue na prior. Nanlaban yung kanyang kapitbahay doon sa ating suspek at tapos nanlaban naman siya, tumakas na yung suspek natin,” Chang added.

The suspect turned himself in to authorities later.

Authorities are also verifying whether the female victim was on a video call with someone whom the suspect was jealous of, and why she refused to lend her cellphone.

“Tinitingnan ng investigator yang part na yan kung totoong merong ka-video call yung ating biktima,” Chang said.

The suspect may face homicide and frustrated homicide charges. He has not issued a statement, as of this writing.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is also reaching out to the family of the victim for a statement.