Toledo City, Cebu – An 18-year-old girl was found dead inside a lodge in Toledo City on the night of September 20, 2024, with her mouth tied, in what authorities suspect to be a homicide.
A manhunt is currently underway for the suspect.
The victim, identified as Mae Fatima Tagactac, a Grade 12 student, had been reported missing after she failed to return home from what she had told her family was a dance practice.
CCTV footage later revealed that Mae was last seen with a man known as “Richard,” who was renting a place in Pier 1, Cebu City.
Police confirmed that Richard has a live-in partner who is currently pregnant.
According to the police report, Mae Fatima left her residence around 9:00 PM after having dinner and took a ride-hailing motorcycle.
She was not seen again until her body was discovered at a lodging house, where police found her lifeless with her mouth tied.
Mae’s mother, Evelyn Tagactac, revealed that her daughter had been in communication with an online “chatmate” before the incident, and she had warned her daughter about trusting strangers online.
The suspect, Richard, was not present when police visited his last known address.
A coordinated manhunt is now in progress to locate him.
Mae’s body has been taken to a local funeral home, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.