Caucasian found dead in hotel room

A Caucasian man was found dead in his room in an uptown hotel Friday evening after hotel employees checked on him for failing to check out on schedule.

Investigators from the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office identified the dead foreigner as Jack Robert Holmes Bourdon Jr. 58, married, and reportedly a resident of Mandalagan, Bacolod City.

PO3 Henry Orbiso told The Freeman that they were puzzled when he checked on Bourdon’s personal effects and found an identification card reportedly issued by the Military Intelligence Group and a homemade .22 cal. Derringer revolver loaded with five live rounds.

Orbiso said the ID card was so old they could not make out who it was issued to. All they could make out was markings of Military Intelligence Group-24 based in Quezon City.

Police are now checking on the background of the Bourdon and the veracity of the ID card found in his possession.

Investigators said Bourdon checked into the hotel last August 22 and was scheduled to checkout last Friday noon. After he failed to appear at the front desk, employees came to check on his room and saw the “Do Not Disturb” card hung at the doorknob.

After several tries to get a response, employees forcibly opened the door and found him lying on the bed already in the early stages of rigor mortis.

Hotel employees immediately called the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and the police.

Scene of the Crime Operations operatives led by Chief Insp. Helen Pasoy retrieved several personal effects of Bourdon for safekeeping.

So far, Homicide Section investigators said they found no signs of struggle inside the room and surmised he could have died of natural causes.  —Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP