LGBTQ+ member found dead in Malaybalay

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A 23-year-old beautician and student was found dead here on Monday morning in what police suspect to be a violent assault.Police identified the victim as Neilbert “Betty” Benito, a resident of Purok 10, Barangay Sumpong, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

READ: 3 killed in string of Bukidnon shootingsInvestigators found Benito’s body at around 7:45 a.m. in a grassy area at Purok 6, Barangay Sumpong, following a call from Civil Security Unit (CSU) personnel stationed at the Provincial Capitol.According to police reports, Benito was found lying in a supine position with severe head injuries and his lower garments pulled down.He was brought to the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center (BPMC), where attending physicians formally pronounced him dead.Lt. Col. Joepet B. Paglinawan, Malaybalay City chief of police, said initial investigations suggest the incident occurred at around 4 am.

Authorities suspect the victim had a same-sex encounter with an unidentified perpetrator who struck him on the head with a heavy object.Paglinawan said that law enforcers have already identified a 19-year-old person of interest in connection with the killing.The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team has yet to release an official autopsy report to confirm the exact cause of death as the investigation into the case continues./coa