Maryjean Lampayog, a 22-year-old mother of two, who had strangle marks on her neck was declared dead on arrival at the Don Emilio Del Valle Hospital in Ubay at past 1 a.m. on Wednesday, a few hours after her husband Florencio ran amok as they figured in a heated argument inside their Candijay home.
Police initially considered her death a suicide but Florencio’s inconsistent testimonies and his verbal tussle with the victim before she died kept authorities from ruling out foul play in the incident.
According to SPO1 Joseph Bayron of the Candijay Police Station, Florencio who first found Maryjean’s body told investigators that he took the victim down after he saw her hanging from the ceiling with a rope tied to her neck.
Florencio’s first testimony was different however.
He reportedly told police that he found his wife sprawled on the floor and unconscious prompting him to rush her to a hospital.
Florencio said that her wife hinted that she was leaving before she died.
“Aw ug molakaw ka, di ka mohigda diri, di na jud ko makita nimo,” Maryjean reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Bayron said that before Maryjean’s death, police on Tuesday night were alerted by Barangay Captain Mark Senerpida notifying them that Florencio who was drunk had broken the family’s front door and scattered their personal belongings.
Police led by PO3 Salvador Loplop responded to the distress call but were later told by Senerpida that the couple had settled their argument and police intervention was no longer needed.
According to Bayron, Florencio has been tagged as a person of interest in his wife’s death.
Although he has not been placed under arrest, he was asked to stay at the police station upon the request of the victim’s kin.
Some of Maryjean’s relatives asked Florencio to stay in the police station as the victim’s cousins may blame him for the death and seek reprisal.
However, Maryjean’s father, Alfredo Perocho Sr. backed Florencio’s claim that the victim bade goodbye to him and her children.
Perocho also said that Maryjean had previously attempted to take her own life.
Meanwhile, police are still conducting further investigations on the case while awaiting the result of the autopsy on Maryjean’s corpse. (Allen Doydora)