David Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez: Major breakthrough in hunt for killer of Aussie couple in Philippines
The man suspected of brutally murdering an Australian couple and their relative while on holiday in the Philippines has handed himself in to police.
David James Fisk, 57, his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, a Philippine-born Australian citizen, and their daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, were found dead at The Lake Hotel, in Tagaytay in Cavite province, southwest of Manila.
The hotel staff discovered this on July 10, when they failed to check out.
All three victims were reportedly found face down, their hands and legs bound with electrical cords and shoelaces, and their mouths covered with packing tape.
The local media also reported on this Mr Fisk’s throat was slit in the horrific attack, and the women are believed to have died of asphyxiation.
Tagaytay Police Chief Charles Daven M Capagcuan announced early Wednesday morning that a person had “surrendered” to officers.
Police will provide more information at a press conference later on Wednesday.
The development comes after police spent the past week searching for a man spotted on CCTV leaving the room on the day of the alleged murders.
Pictured: 57-year-old Australian citizen David James Fisk and his Philippine-born Australian wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55.
Security camera footage from the hotel showed the man leaving the room wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, maroon shorts, sneakers and a black backpack.
According to local media, a security guard, Rodney Parahinog, encountered the man at the entrance of the resort at 6am on Wednesday and asked him where he was going.
Mr Parahinog said the man said he had checked into the room and was holding a key card for Mr Fisk’s room.
On Friday, Fisk’s family released a statement expressing their grief and pleading for answers to questions about the horrific death.
The three murder victims are pictured left and center, along with another family member (right) during Mr. Fisk’s visit to the Philippines with his partner Lucita Barquin Cortez
“The love we feel for our father and Lucita is so great and this situation is like a nightmare,” the statement said.
‘We pray for answers and the truth in this horrific case and pray for their safe return to Australian shores.
‘David’s daughters, well-known and much-loved locals in Sutherland Shire, ask on behalf of their family that the media respects our privacy at this incredibly difficult and tragic time. We will not be commenting further.’
The family has a GoFundMe to help ‘obtain justice for all loved ones involved’ and will be used to ‘relieve the financial stress and burden resulting from this incredibly difficult time’.
Mr Fisk’s body will be taken to Sydney, while both women will be buried in the Philippines. The government will pay for the funeral and cremation.