Manhunt on for Karen Kaye’s killer; police looks at personal grudge as motive

P500,000 reward  offered by city  to find Karen’s killer
Police looking at personal grudge as a motive

We already have a suspect.”

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Armando Radoc said a manhunt was launched yesterday against a  suspect in the murder of 17-year-old Karen Kaye Montebon.

As of 6:30 last night, Radoc said the suspect was no longer in Lapu-Lapu City, but a team was searching two undisclosed places.

Another team was sent to  recover the victim’s missing mini iPad and DSLR camera, which may contain evidence vital to the case.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday announced a P500,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the student’s killer.

“ I assure you that we will secure justice for Karen as soon as possible,” the mayor said.

READ: Murder of 17-year-old student at home  in Lapu-Lapu City sparks online calls for justice

Police are looking at a personal grudge as the  motive in the death of the teenager, who was found strangled in her bedroom in Corinthians Subdivision on Tuesday.

Her parents and sister had left the house at 6 a.m. with Karen at home alone, looking ahead to going to school for an exam at 10:30 a.m.

Neighbors  told police they saw a man and woman on a motorcycle park outside the residence. The woman, in her 20s with long hair, knocked on the door around 7 a.m.

Radoc said there “is a possibility” that  Karen knew her attacker or attackers.

Initial reports said the student  may have been raped, but  the victim’s underwear and shorts were intact when she was found by her father James upon his return home about  5 p.m., said Radoc.

Medico-legal officer Chief Inspector Felino Brunia said Karen  died of “asphixia by manual strangulation” or was choked by someone’s bare hands.

An electric cord was found  around her neck. Police said this could have been placed there to mislead others to believe she took her own life. No cord marks were found  on her neck.

“In most cases of rape with homicide, the suspects no longer bother to return the underwear or dress of the victim. But in the case of Karen, her underwear and dress were still intact. It (signs of rape) could have been done to mislead,” he said.

VIGIL

Karen, a first-year accountancy student of the University of San Carlos,  had spent only three months in college.

But last night large crowds of SVD priests, professors and students turned up for simultaneous “solidarity vigils” held at the main campus in downtown Cebu City, Talamban campus and South campus in barangay Sambag.  (See related story).

Most wore black shirts, as urged by the USC Student Affairs Office. They lit candles , scribbled messages of sympathy and support, and handed financial aid to Karen’s bereaved family.

Lakaisha Moncano, Karen’s 16-year-old best friend, couldn’t stop crying during the prayer service.

“One thing I can say: She was a God-fearing girl. Even though we differ in religion, she always said that it was faith that matters to God. Let us pray for her and her family,” she said as she wiped tears on her eyes.

The Montebon family belong to a Pentecostal church.

At the vigil wake at St. Peter’s Funeral Homes in Mandaue City, her parents and elder sister asked the media to respect their privacy.

Radoc visited the family at the victim’s wake last night.

TEXT MESSAGE

He said police learned of the identity of the suspect after receiving a text message on Wednesday night from an informant, who was bothered by his conscience.

“Niingon ning informant nga suko kaayo ang suspect sa biktima kay nagkalalis man ni sila (The informant said the suspect was mad at the victim because they had an argument),” Radoc said.

He said police have verified the message. He declined to describe the suspect, except that he or she is not a resident of Corinthians Subdivision.

Radoc, after a case conference yesterday  the Lapu-Lapu City Police office, formed the “Karen Special Investigation Task Team”.

The team is composed of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch, Homicide Section, City Intelligence Branch and Marigondon Police Station. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group also offered to help.

SECURITY

Mayor Radaza yesterday ordered Radoc to hold regular patrols and coordinate with security officers in different subdivisions in Lapu-Lapu City.

At the Corinthians Subdivision, homeowners’ association president Grace Diaz said they plan to buy CCTV cameras for the village.

“After  what happened, we will be strictly implementing procedures to properly account for homeowners and visitors entering/exiting the subdivision,” she said.

She encouraged all homeowners to be vigilant and report to the security any suspicious activity in the village.

A day after Karen’s remains were found, the subdivision let of of security guards and changed its security agency.