Missing UP-Diliman Employee Discovered in Benguet, Autopsy Reveals Shocking Findings
UP-DILIMAN – The missing UP-Diliman employee was found in Benguet, and the autopsy has uncovered horrifying details about the circumstances surrounding her death.
The remains of missing UP-Diliman employee Irene Melican were found in Tuba, Benguet, bringing closure to a heartbreaking case that began several months ago. In an exclusive report by GMA News’ 24 Oras, the National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) confirmed the tragic details of her death, describing it as both violent and excruciating.
Melican was last seen in June, and her sudden disappearance sent shockwaves through her family and colleagues at the University of the Philippines. Authorities launched an extensive search, which led to the arrest of her 38-year-old boyfriend in July as the main suspect. This arrest began the investigation that eventually uncovered Irene’s body in a remote part of Tuba, Benguet.
NBI-NCR Regional Director Ferdinand Lavin revealed that DNA testing, carried out in collaboration with the Tuba police, confirmed that the body was indeed Irene’s.
“The conduct was done with the Tuba, Benguet police, the DNA matched doon sa samples, reference materials taken from the parents of victim, Irene Melican. Nagkaroon kami ng closure na ito talaga ang taong hinahanap namin (we had closure that this was exactly the person we were looking for) who was earlier kidnapped by her boyfriend,” Lavin said.
According to the report, the autopsy results disclosed that Irene suffered severe trauma before her death. According to Director Lavin, she sustained blunt force injuries to her chest and neck, along with fractured ribs on the left side of her body. These findings indicate that Irene’s final moments were agonizing and that her death was the result of brutal physical assault. The report also highlighted that she was found without clothes and bearing multiple wounds.
As the investigation progresses, the NBI remains determined to bring justice to Irene. The tragic circumstances surrounding her death have stirred widespread grief and outrage, underscoring the need for greater awareness and action against gender-based violence.
READ ALSO: Protesters at UP Diliman Advised to be Careful w/ Their Words vs Anti-Terror Law