Previous Story
‘Dr. Claasens still in serious condition’
DPS Saipan sends 3 detectives to Rota to complete investigation
Rota Commonwealth Health Center’s Dr. Francois Claasens remains in serious condition at a hospital in Guam, according to the Department of Public Safety last night.
As this developed, Department of Public Safety Saipan sent yesterday morning to Rota police detectives Saimon Manacop and Nicholas Rabauliman, along with crime scene detective Jeffrey Bahillo.
DPS acting spokesman Jason Tarkong said the three will assist Rota DPS detectives in completing the investigation into the attempted murder of the 60-year-old Claasens.
Dr. Francois Claasens
Tarkong also disclosed that he confirmed with one of the detectives working on the case that the victim’s condition remains the same as when he was taken to a Guam hospital.
As of last night, Tarkong was still waiting for additional reports on the doctor’s condition.
Claasens suffered puncture wounds on the back of his neck and the right side of his mouth. He sustained numerous deep lacerations and contusions on the head, and his right ear was bleeding. He suffered fractured legs and arms, and a skull fracture, police said.
Claasens, the only physician assigned at the Rota Health Center, was last reported to be unconscious and on life support.
The suspect, William Abraham Kapono Mathewson, a 36-year-old farmer/fisherman, allegedly stabbed Claasens in the neck with a fishing spear and whacked his head with a chain and a big black pot.
The attack happened in the back of the doctor’s house in Teneto Village on Rota on Saturday morning.
Prior to the incident, Mathewson and Claasens were talking, according to the doctor’s minor son.
Mathewson allegedly smelled of alcohol when he was arrested at the scene. He is now in jail after failing to post a $250,000 cash bail.
