Woman with Mental Condition Found Dead in Bukidnon River

A 49-year-old mother who went missing after leaving their home early Sunday morning was found dead, floating in the shallow waters of the Sawaga River in Barangay 9 here on Monday morning. Authorities identified the victim as alias “Beng,” a resident of Barangay Casisang in this city. Personnel from the Malaybalay City Police Station immediately responded to the area after receiving reports from residents regarding a body spotted among the rocks in the river. The victim was positively identified by her husband and children, matching the description of a missing person whose plight had been widely shared on social media earlier. Lt. Col. Joepet Paglinawan, Malaybalay police chief, said family members had launched an online appeal after the woman left their house unattended at around 12:00 midnight on Sunday. Family accounts revealed that the victim had been experiencing a nervous breakdown and had a history of leaving home without notice. Relatives disclosed that before her departure, she had allegedly expressed thoughts of jumping from a bridge into the river. Initial police findings indicate no foul play. Investigators noted severe trauma to the head and multiple fractures on the victim’s arms and legs, leading authorities to look into the possibility that she may have fallen or jumped from a bridge into the river. The victim’s body has since been retrieved and brought to a local funeral parlor for proper wake arrangements./coa