Mauled wife dies on Maundy Thursday

CEBU, Philippines - A wife died on Thursday, two days after she was mauled by her husband in their residence in Sitio Kamanggahan in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City.

Jovelyn Ancero, 26, was found lifeless in their couple's bedroom by her younger sister Malen Sinangote, who was also living in their house.

Sinangote immediately sought police assistance when she saw that her sister was already dead. Her sister was said to be suffering from pains after she was mauled by Arnel Ancero, 28, last Thursday.

Police Officer 3 Heracleo Gamboa of Basak Police Station said that the victim's younger sister Malen on Tuesday evening overheard the couple having a heated argument.

The wife wanted to have her husband help her in taking care of their one-year-old baby but this apparently irked the husband which led to him to maul his wife several times.

The suspect left their home after the mauling incident while the victim was grimacing in pain from bruises and contusions that she suffered. She was no longer able to bear the pain and died at 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the sister.

"Wa na siguro makaantos ang biktima sa kasakit ilabi na nga gamay pud kaayo siyang babaye, " said Gamboa.

The sister said that she then informed the suspect that his wife died but since then he never showed up in their house.

A hot pursuit operation was conducted against the suspect in his hometown in Bogo City and in some of his friends' places in Cebu City, but the operation proved futile.

The victim's cadaver was fetched by the Saint Anne Funeral Homes wherein an autopsy was conducted to determine the real cause of her death. (FREEMAN)