The main suspect in the killing of teenager Christine Silawan is dead, Lapu-Lapu City Jail warden Jessie Calumpang said Monday.
Calumpang said Renato Llenes was seen hanging lifeless inside the comfort room of his assigned detention cell early Sunday.
He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.
Calumpang disclosed that Llenes never had any visitor since he was brought to the jail facility.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is waiting for an autopsy report to determine Llenes' cause of death and if any foul play was involved.
An investigation is also underway into the suspect's death.
Llenes was arrested and admitted to the crime in April 2019.
During police investigation and media interviews, he claimed responsibility for the crime. However, Llenes pleaded not guilty to the murder charge during his arraignment.
He was supposed to attend trial last April but the hearing was cancelled due to the coronavirus-caused lockdown.
Silawan’s remains were found in grassy area at sitio Mahayahay, barangay Bankal. She was 16.
Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City, Renato Llenes, Christine Lee Silawan, Christine Silawan murder case