Suspect in nursing student’s killing charged with murder

ORIENTAL MINDORO — The suspect in the brutal killing of 20-year-old nursing student Altheia Maru Gabayno has been formally charged with murder before the Calapan City Prosecutor’s Office.

Calapan City Police chief PLtCol. Michael Caraggayan said the murder complaint was filed against the 26-year-old suspect, who surrendered on Sunday night at the Church of the Christ  in Quiapo, Manila.

The suspect had introduced himself as a pastor, but the Church of the Christ and an association of pastors in Oriental Mindoro denied that he was a legitimate or ordained pastor.

The suspect remains detained at the Calapan City Custodial Facility pending the issuance of a commitment order for his transfer to another detention facility.

A forensic examination by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) found that the victim died from multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Authorities also submitted the knife and its detached handle to the prosecutor’s office as evidence.

The suspect claimed the knife handle broke during a struggle with the victim.

Nursing student found dead in vacant lot in Oriental Mindoro

Gabayno’s body was discovered early Saturday morning in a grassy area in Barangay Sapul, Calapan City.