Robbery eyed in American scientist's killing after home ransacked
MANILA, Philippines — Police have identified two persons of interest in the killing of American marine biologist Kent Carpenter and are looking at robbery as the potential motive, the Negros Oriental police director said Wednesday.
Col. Timmar Alam, provincial director of the Negros Oriental Police, told reporters in a phone interview that investigators have so far not found any connection between Carpenter's work as a scientist and his killing.
"For the moment, what we are seeing is purely intent to gain... We've seen [no evidence] in relation to his work," Alam said in Filipino.
According to the police, the two persons of interest, Carpenter's Filipino live-in partner and her brother, are not considered suspects.
Police are still working to identify and locate the three men caught on CCTV entering Carpenter's home.
Partner's account under scrutiny
Alam said Carpenter's live-in partner, who survived the attack, remains a person of interest because she was not harmed and is a local resident of the area. The woman told police she and Carpenter had been together for about seven years.
The second person of interest is her brother, who Alam said frequently visited the house.
"Hindi po natin masabi na siya ay involved," Alam said of the partner. "Basta sa ngayon, since she was left alive probably po baka kilala or kilala siya nung mga suspects, tapos baka hindi lang niya kilala yung mga suspects."
Police are also reviewing parts of her account. Alam said the initial spot report describing forced entry came from her, but a thorough investigation found none.
"Sa ocular inspection po wala po kaming nakikitang forcible entry sa bahay," he said, adding that investigators found a terrace that could be climbed to reach the interior of the house and the crime scene.
Alam said the woman also claimed she was sexually assaulted after being tied with a charger cord and made to lie face down.
A full vaginal swab, however, yielded a negative result, according to the police.
Alam said the claim remains under investigation.
Police found no record of a previous quarrel between Carpenter and his partner, he added.
Shot dead
Alam said Carpenter was seated in the living room with his partner when the three men entered and shot him immediately. There was no indication he fought back.
Taken from the house were P50,000 in cash, Carpenter's wallet containing another P25,000, a laptop and a pair of binoculars.
The three men appeared to be in their 20s, Alam said, and the CCTV footage suggested the attack was not carefully planned.
"Nagkataon lang talaga na para bang yun yung plano nila manloob ng bahay, parang kung sino yung may opportunity, 'yun yung papasukin nila," he said.
Alam said police would look into whether the suspects were on drugs or drunk at the time of the incident.
Responding to speculation online linking the killing to Carpenter's role as an expert witness in the Philippines' arbitration case against China, Alam said police were examining every angle, including his work.
Alam said Carpenter's family has been informed and that police are coordinating with the United States Embassy in Manila.
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