Showbiz scribe murdered

A 52-year-old publicist and movie writer was brutally killed yesterday morning inside his condominium unit in New Manila, Quezon City.

Eli Formaran, of 11 Unit 4 Golondrina Condominium, Castilla street, New Manila, was found dead in a pool of his on blood at around 6 a.m. by his household companions.

Police said the body had 14 stab wounds. Ligature marks were also found on his neck.

Initial information gathered by investigators revealed that the attacker, possibly a visitor and guest, arrived at the victim’s house last Tuesday night. The suspect reportedly spent the night there.

Senior Superintendent Procopio Lipana said the suspect, whose description has been withheld in order not to jeopardize follow-up operations, informed Formaran’s caretaker identified only as a certain "Rey" that he was leaving. This took place at around 5 a.m.

Rey was sleeping at the ground floor of the condo unit. Formaran’s room is on the second floor.

An hour later, Formaran’s driver, identified only as a certain "Froilan," was roused from sleep by heat coming from his employer’s room. Police said Froilan was sleeping at the third floor.

Froilan went down to Formaran’s room to wake him up, but the door was locked and his boss was not responding. Froilan then asked help from Rey so they can force open the door.

Thick smoke enveloped the burning room, making it difficult for Rey and Froilan to find Formaran.

The two grabbed some pails of water to contain the blaze that was emanating from a cabinet.

When the fire was out, they finally found their boss sprawled on the floor of the comfort room.

The fire singed Formaran’s clothes and partially damaged the cabinet and ceiling of the bedroom. The two immediately called the police.

Lipana told The Star that the suspect used a kitchen knife to stab the victim and the cord of a cell phone charger to strangle him. Police recovered the bladed weapon and charger cord.

According to Lipana, robbery could be a motive because there were indications that the suspect searched through the victim’s belongings.

Jewelry and cellular phones belonging to Formaran were missing.

Police gathered that Formaran and the suspect met twice before. The suspect visited Formaran’s condo for the first time last Tuesday.