American student dead in room

San Carlos, Pangasinan – A medical student with a US citizenship certificate was found dead in his rented apartment on Bonifacio St. here last week.

Police investigator SPO4 Jose Resultan said the victim was Innocent Iketchi Nwokeocha, 43 who was discovered dead at about 9 a.m. on Sept. 15.

Investigation showed the body bore blood in the mouth and was totally naked. An autopsy was conducted but results were not known at press time.

An initial report by Dr. Juan M. de Vera of the Rurul Health Unit I however stated the cause of his death was cardiac arrest.

His landlady, Melchora Samson, said she found the body when she was about to deliver the electric bill to the apartment.

“Kumakatok ako para ibigay ang kaniyang bill sa Cenpelco, pero hindi siya lumalabas kaya napilitan akong tumawag ng mga lalaki, subalit hindi pa rin magbukas ang pintuan, kaya kami tumawag ng pulis,” Melchora said.

When a policeman forcibly opened the door, they found the student dead. Police said there was no sign of mauling, stabbing or confusion in the room.

It was learned that representatives of the US embassy arrived on Sept. 17 to investigate the death of the victim. -- Jennelyn Mondejar