Woman found dead in Chalan Piao apartment

Police are now investigating what they believe is the second homicide case of the year—a woman found dead inside her apartment, covered with a blanket and with signs of a struggle on her body.

Police were dispatched to an apartment in the Chalan Piao area Monday morning in response to an unidentified caller who reported a dead person at about 9:08am.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Eric F. David disclosed yesterday that the 42-year-old female victim, whose name was not disclosed, was found inside her apartment at the S.T.S. Corp. Commercial Space/Chang Cui, located adjacent to the 5K Poker establishment and Li Rong Restaurant.

Based on preliminary investigation, David said the victim’s co-worker had gone to the apartment to check on the victim, a Chinese Korean. The co-worker told authorities that she had tried to contact the victim on Saturday, making several calls to her apartment but no one answered.

At about 8:45am Monday, the co-worker went to the apartment to check if the victim was going to report for work. She said she came upon the victim, who was lying motionless on the floor and was covered with a blanket.

David said Criminal Scene Investigation personnel disclosed that there were signs and evidence of a struggle and that there was an appearance of a defensive wound on the victim, indicating that foul play may have been involved.

Dr. Rory Mackay was summoned to the scene. He pronounced the victim dead at about 11:26am Monday.

David’s report gave no description of the suspect, who remains unknown.

David said the victim’s identity will be withheld pending notification of kin.

This is the second homicide case reported in 2005. The first one occurred on Jan. 2, when a 38-year-old man was killed at the J&C Poker in China Town by an unidentified male suspect, who fled with about $7,000 in hand.

The suspect had a plastic pellet gun, which broke during a struggle between him and the victim. The suspect then used a sharp object to stab the victim. The fatal weapon was never found.

Criminal Investigation Bureau commander Edward Manalili recently disclosed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting the DPS in solving the crime.

Surveillance tapes from the scene are being reviewed and a picture of the suspect was released to the media.

Anyone with information on either crimes is urged to contact the DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau at 664-9042. To remain anonymous, contact the NMI Crime Stoppers tips line at 234-7272 or *11 from any Verizon Cellular phone (toll free from Tinian and Rota). Information may also be submitted through its website at www.nmicrimestoppers.com.

Crime Stoppers pay up to $1,000 cash for information leading to an arrest. All tips remain anonymous and caller ID is not used.