The man suspected of brutally killing an Australian couple while they were on holiday in the Philippines has handed himself in to police.
David James Fisk, 57, his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, an Australian citizen born in the Philippines, and their daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, were found dead at The Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, Cavite province, southwest of Manila.
Hotel staff made the discovery on July 10 when they failed to check out their room.
The three victims were reportedly found face down, with their hands and legs bound with electrical cords and shoelaces and their mouths covered with packing tape.
Local media also reported In the horrific attack, Mr Fisk’s throat was slit and the women are believed to have suffocated to death.
Tagaytay Police Chief Charles Daven M Capagcuan revealed early Wednesday morning that one person had “surrendered” to officers, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Police are expected to provide more information at a news conference later Wednesday.
The development comes after police spent the last week searching for a man who was seen on CCTV footage leaving the room on the day of the alleged murders.
Pictured: Australian citizen David James Fisk, 57, his Philippine-born Australian wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55.
The hotel’s security camera footage showed the man leaving the room wearing a black hooded sweater, maroon shorts, sneakers and carrying a black backpack.
According to local media reports, a security guard, Rodney Parahinog, came across the man at 6am on Wednesday at the entrance gate of the complex and asked him where he was going.
Mr Parahinog said the man said he had entered the room and had a key card to Mr Fisk’s room.
On Friday, Mr Fisk’s family released a statement sharing their grief as they called for answers about the horrific deaths.
The three murder victims are pictured left and center with another family member (right) during Fisk’s visit to the Philippines with his partner Lucita Barquin Cortez.
“The love we have for our Father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living a nightmare,” the statement read.
‘We pray for answers and the truth about this horrific matter and we simply pray for his safe return to Australian shores.
‘David’s daughters, well-known and much-loved local residents in the Sutherland Shire, ask on behalf of his family that the media respect our privacy at this incredibly difficult and tragic time and we will not be making any further comment.’
The family has created a GoFundMe to help “gain support in obtaining justice for all loved ones involved” and will be used to “help alleviate the financial stress and burden that will arise from this incredibly difficult time.”
Mr Fisk’s body will be repatriated to Sydney, while both women will be buried in the Philippines with the government paying for their funeral and burial.
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