Painter Bree Jonson, 30, found dead in La Union

MANILA, Philippines (Update 2: 8:07 a.m.) — Artist Bree Jonson, 30, was found unconscious in a hostel room in San Juan, La Union early Saturday morning, September 20, police confirmed to Philstar.com early Monday.

Jonson was taken to a hospital, which pronounced her dead on arrival.

Her companion, Julian Ongpin, 29, was arrested for drug possession after cocaine was seized from the hostel room.

Ongpin, an art patron and angel investor, is the son of former trade minister and billionaire tycoon Roberto Ongpin, chair of property developer Alphaland.

The cause of Jonson's death is to be determined after an autopsy.

Some paintings of Bree Jonson displayed at the Makati exhibit ZZYZX in January 2021.

Artinformal via Facebook

Jonson, who had a brief though successful career as a painter, depicted the "dynamics of the natural world and the insights this provides into human nature" in her art, according to her website. She recently built a studio in La Union.

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