Painter Bree Jonson was found dead in a resort room in La Union that she shared with the son of billionaire businessman Roberto Ongpin, who was later taken into police custody for drug possession, authorities said Monday.
Julian Roberto Ongpin, a 29-year-old angel investor and art patron, told staff at the hip Flotsam and Jetsam resort in San Juan town that he found the 30-year-old Jonson lifeless in their bathroom, according to a police report. The investigator on the case, Master Sergeant Alfredo Fajardo, confirmed the incident separately to reportr by phone.
Ongpin will be charged with illegal possession of drugs, the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted the San Juan police chief, Maj. Gerardo Macaraeg, as saying. It was Macaraeg who said cocaine was found in the room.
The two checked in early evening of September 17, Friday, said Fajardo the investigator. They stepped out before midnight and returned to their room at around 3 a.m. That was the last time Jonson was seen alive, he said.
Thirty minutes later, Ongpin rushed out of their room asking for help saying Jonson was dead in their bathroom after an apparent suicide. Ongpin looked anxious (balisa) at that time, police said.
Jonson was pronounced dead at the hospital.