German businessman leaps to death in Makati condo

MANILA, Philippines -  A 62-year-old German businessman, battling with alcoholism for many years, leaped from the 16th floor of a condominium building in Makati City yesterday, in what police initially said could be a case of suicide.

Makati City police Precinct 6 commander Senior Inspector Redentor Quiano identified the victim as Georg Mueller. The German lives in unit 1604 of the Ritz Towers along Ayala Avenue with his Filipina wife Maribel.

Initial police investigation showed that Mueller leaped from the terrace of their condominium unit at about 12:45 p.m. and landed face-first on the concrete driveway of the condominium.

“His wife told us that he has been struggling with his problem with alcoholism and that he turns violent and uncontrollable when he is drunk,” said Quiano.

However, his struggle with alcoholism was no secret in Mueller’s community and close friends say that whatever personal problems he might have had, he was nevertheless a respectable man, a good friend, and an even better father to his three children.

Quiano went on saying that Mueller was supposed to catch a flight to Bangkok, Thailand later yesterday afternoon to spend time at a rehabilitation clinic. Mueller, the police said, is involved in the sale of hearing aids and has been living in the country for over 15 years. He considered the Philippines to be home.

Security guards assigned at the condominium’s driveway were surprised by the German’s fall.

“I had my back turned and just heard a large thud. And then I saw him already lying face down on the pavement,” said one guard who did not want to be identified.

According to the guard, Mueller could have deliberately climbed over his unit’s terrace as the terrace is almost chest-high.

Although police investigators are initially looking at the suicide angle behind Mueller’s death, they are not discounting yet the possibility of foul play.

Mueller’s body was later taken to the Funeraria Filipinas along J.P. Rizal Street. His funeral took place the same day in the late afternoon, where family and friends said their final goodbyes.– With Anna Koppenhoefer