Retired teacher found dead in Caloocan

A 66-year-old retired teacher went missing for four days before she was found dead in an advanced state of decomposition, wrapped inside a blanket near the house she shared with her husband and a grandson the other day in Caloocan City.

Superintendent Dionicio Borromeo, Station Investigation and Detection Management Bureau (SIDMB) chief, identified the victim as Nenita Besol, 64, a native of Iloilo City and resident of Block 6, Lot 2, Shelterville Subdivision, Bagumbong, Caloocan City.

Carlos and Eva de la Paz, the victim’s neighbors, found her body at 3 a.m. last Friday. The body bore several stab wounds and the head smashed.

Probers said Besol had been missing since last Monday but her husband Arturo, 66, did not know she was dead until Friday.

The neighbors told probers they could not sleep at night because of a foul odor near their house. They went out to find the source of the stench and called the victim’s husband. Together they found traces of blood that eventually led to the body. The victim shared the house with her husband and their 16-year-old grandson. The boy has been reported missing.

Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) medico-legal officer Senior Inspector Filemon Porciuncula, who autopsied the victim, said she died of six stab wounds in the chest, one of which pierced her right lung. She also had several lacerations in the head caused by a blunt object.

"Her right temple was smashed," he said. He also noted that a shallow excavation was found near where the body lay as well as a gallon of gasoline. He said whoever was digging the hole intended to burn the body in the shallow grave. The killer probably left in a hurry after sensing some people were coming and abandoned the plan," Porciuncula said.

The husband, despite reportedly not in good terms with his wife, still lived together with her. He said he had not seen his wife for three days, adding he was not aware where she went because she usually visits relatives without telling him.

Probers are digging deep into the case for an early solution even as they have invited the victim’s husband for questioning. They are also searching for the grandson.