A graduating female college student was found dead inside the room of her board mate in Barangay 7, Cagayan de Oro City.

The landlady of the boarding house sought police assistance after noticing a foul odor coming from one of the rooms.

Responding officers found the decomposing body of a woman inside Room 1 of the boarding house.

“Around February 19, mga 6:15 sa gabii, kay naa daw gapanimaho sa usa ka kwarto sa niresponde ta didto dayon upon entering the area baho na gyud siya, ma-notice na siya. We attempted to open the room pero naay gababag,” Police Station 1 Divisoria Commander, Major Byron-John Ratunil, said.

Based on investigation, Room 1 was rented by a male employee of the Cagayan de Oro City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD).

The victim was identified as a 21-year-old graduating student who was renting Room 12 in the same boarding house. She had been reported missing for two days.

“Last nga nakita atong biktima atong 17 sa buntag around 6 allegedly around 6:30 naay other boarders sa area naa silay nadungog nga lagubo sa room 1 wherein wala ra pud sila,” Ratunil added.

Police added that the renter of Room 1 reportedly last reported for work at the CDRRMD on February 17, 2026 and has not been seen since. He is now considered a person of interest.

Authorities have yet to determine whether the victim was assaulted sexually.

The body was already in an advanced stage of decomposition when found but investigators said the victim may have struggled owing to he injuries present on the body.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing and the body is set to undergo an autopsy.

“Until such time nga ma-file ang case, ayha ta makaingon nga naa na ‘tay suspect. Need namo ang cooperation labi na sa nakabalo regarding ani nga kaso,” Ratunil said.