Initial autopsy findings for Vivamax actress and model Gina Lima revealed
The Quezon City Police District's forensic unit has released the initial results of the autopsy performed on Vivamax actress and model Gina Lima, who was found dead at 23.
The findings shared by ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Nov. 19, indicated that the bruises found on Lima's thighs did not cause her death.
According to the medico-legal certification, the autopsy was performed by police captain and medico-legal officer Michael Aaron M. Alcantara, MD, on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
"The following initial findings are noted: Post-mortem findings: Presence of early marbling (post mortem change), and post-mortem lividity mostly at the back," Alcantara wrote in the certification.
While he did not indicate a cause of death, Alcantara confirmed the bruises were not fatal: "Presence of non-fatal external injuries; Presence of heart congestion, congested and edematous lungs."
To further complete his autopsy examination, Alcantara wrote on the certification that he collected stomach content, blood, urine, vaginal swabs, and organ cut sections. Per the medico-legal officer, "The exact cause of death cannot be determined."
Her toxicology and histopathology results are still pending as of writing.
Lima and Ronquillo's deaths
On Sunday night, Nov. 16, Lima was found unresponsive in her home by her former boyfriend Ivan Cezar Ronquillo.
He rushed her to the Quezon City General Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.
The initial report filed her cause of death as cardio respiratory distress.
While investigators found bruises on her thighs, police said at the time that the marks were inconclusive and that an autopsy was needed to determine the actress' exact cause of death.
In their subsequent investigation at the condo unit where Lima was found unresponsive, police did not detect any signs of a struggle.
According to PltCol. Edison Ouano, chief, QCPD-CIDU, "Sa initial cursory examination natin sa mga investigator, so far wala pong nakitang stragulation o mga pasa na dahilan sa pagkamatay ng biktima. I-open natin [sa autopsy] kapag may doubt tayo kung may foul play o natural cause, para malaman talaga kung ano talaga ang cause ng ikinamatay ng isang biktima."
Three days later, on the morning of Nov. 19, Ronquillo was also found dead in the same condo unit where Lima was found. He was rushed to the Quezon City General Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.
While police are still investigating what happened, Lt. Col. Jose Luis Aguirre, station commander of La Loma Police Station, told DZRH News, "May nagreport po sa amin na itong boyfriend [ng namatay na Vivamax actress] na si Ivan Cezar Ronquillo ay nagpakamatay."
