Police in Corella launched an investigation on the death of a retired US Army soldier who died of a gunshot wound on Saturday.

The 72-year-old American veteran, identified as Jerry Crawford, was found by his wife, Norma, 56, with a gunshot wound in the stomach inside their home in Barangay Sambog, said SPO1 Rowel Socorin.

Jerry was still rushed to a private hospital in Tagbilaran City but was declared dead on arrival.

Norma claimed that Jerry committed suicide and that he had already attempted to take his own life in the past.

However, investigators continued to look into the possibility of foul play behind Jerry’s death, said Socorin.

“Among gi-investigate kung duna by foul play, kung gi-tulis ba o unsa. Pero mo barog man g’yud siya [Norma] na ga-suicide kuno to kay ika-duha na kuno to na attempt,” Socorin said.

“Pero padayon pa among pagpaniid didto, pangutana sa mga silingan kay kadto ilang bay mura’g mingaw,” he added.

Norma told police that Jerry was alone during the incident as she left their house at 5 p.m. to buy food.

She allegedly found her husband sprawled on the ground with a gunshot wound and a .38 caliber beside his waist 30 minutes later.

There were no witnesses during the incident while other residents in the village did not hear a gunshot.

“Nangutana pud ko sa mga silingan didto, loving ug sweet man kuno sila [Crawfords], di man kuno pud tig away,” said Socorin.

Norma also said that Jerry was suffering from multiple ailments due to old age and could barely walk due to osteoporosis. (AD)