Court clears Bella Ruby over death of Ellah Joy

More than three years since Ellah Joy Pique was killed and kidnapped, justice remained elusive for the family of the eight-year-old victim.

This after Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Ester Veloso dismissed the case against Bella Ruby Santos, one of the two suspects of the kidnap-slay of Ellah Joy for insufficiency of evidence.

It has been more than three years since the crime was committed and two couples were linked to the case. The first couple, Karen Esdrelon and Norwegian partner Sven-Erik Berger were cleared of charges in 2011.

While Santos, who was out on bail, was acquitted, her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths is still in Great Britain.

Bella Ruby Santos was emotional after learning that the kidnapping with homicide case against her was dismissed. (CDN PHOTO/ TONEE DESPOJO)

The court cited that the main witness presented by prosecution against Santos was the same child who earlier pointed to another set of suspects who were first arrested and cleared in relation to Ellah Joy’s death.

Veloso lifted the hold departure order issued against Santos.  In a press conference, Santos said she already informed Griffiths about the update of the case.

Father of Ellah Joy Pique, Renante could not stop tears from falling while being interviewed by reporters in his home in Minglanilla town, Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/ TONEE DESPOJO)

Ellah Joy’s father Renante Pique cried on learning about the decision at his home in Minglanilla. He said he resigned from his job since he couldn’t focus on anything but his daughter’s death.