Police have confirmed that a suspected drug overdose may have caused the death of a 37-year-old man in Barangay Katangawan, General Santos City.

The man was found dead inside his home on June 19, 2025. His body was already in an advanced state of decomposition.

Based on investigation, police ruled out foul play as there was no sign of forced entry and the man’s belongings were intact.

However, authorities found a sachet of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia near the body. These were not considered the cause of death at that time.

Findings from the medico-legal certificate obtained from the man’s family showed that the man died likely from suspected drug-induced encephalopathy, a brain condition caused by excessive drug use.

Police linked the man’s condition to the illegal drug item recovered from the scene.

“Based doon sa medico legal findings na nilabas ng nag-examine doon sa cadaver it was found out that the victim died for suspected drug overdose,” Police Station 8 Commander, Major Robert Fores, said.

Authorities reminded those who are using illegal drugs to stop the illegal activity.

“The use of illegal drugs, maliban sa bawal, ay talagang nakakasama sa pangangatawan, especially sa health. Sobrang pagkalulong sa droga plus, for example, merong additional health problem, will complicate and will surely result to death of an individual,” Fores said.