Body of missing Taitano found at bottom of cliffline

With the aid of a dog, search teams found the body of Joan L. Taitano yesterday morning at the bottom of a cliffline near the radar building in Marpi.

Acting police spokesman Jason Tarkong confirmed later in the afternoon yesterday that the body was indeed that of the 37-year-old Taitano, who has been missing since Thursday.

It is not clear yet whether investigators found foul play or not. Tarkong did not provide more details.

In a press briefing at the radar building area yesterday morning, Tarkong said that crime scene technicians have processed Taitano’s white 2016 Toyota Yaris to check for evidence.

Police recovered the vehicle near the radar building on Monday after lunch. The car was locked when a patrol unit found the vehicle parked on the pavement by the radar building, sources said.

On Monday, a dog from the K-9 unit was brought in. From the car the dog allegedly “lost” the scent at the top of the Marpi cliff, Tarkong said.

As it was getting dark, the search teams—composed of the Department of Public Safety, Customs, and Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services—suspended the search on Monday, then resumed yesterday morning.

Tarkong said that at 9:25am yesterday, the teams called DPS that they have recovered a female body about 200 feet at the bottom of the cliff.

Tarkong said he could not tell yet whether the body was in a state of decomposition or not as investigators at the time were still checking the body and processing the scene.

He said family members have been notified about the body.

The uncle of Taitano and some family friends joined the search at the radar building area yesterday morning until being informed about the body being found.

Tarkong said there is a trail going down to the cliff’s bottom.

He said arrangement has been made for witnesses to identify the body.

A relative told police on Sunday that Taitano was last seen Thursday night at her house in Dandan.

Taitano chaired the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Program advisory council and was vice chair of the State Behavioral Health Council. She also served as a board member of the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc. She worked briefly as a Saipan Tribune reporter.