By Jennifer P. Rendon
Police have confirmed that the Slovak national found dead on Boracay Island on March 12 was sexually abused.
A medico-legal examination was conducted on the body of 23-year-old Michaela Mickova a day after she was discovered at an abandoned chapel in Zone 3, Sitio Pinaungon, Barangay Balabag.
The autopsy report stated, “Genital findings are consistent with recent blunt force penetrating trauma/sexual abuse.”
The report also indicated that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
Mickova had abrasions and hematomas on her face.
She also sustained contusions on her abdomen, left arm, and forearm, as well as abrasions on her right arm and knee and a hematoma on her left thigh.
Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, said authorities are looking at three to four suspects involved in the crime.
“Initially, we identified three suspects. But during our follow-up investigation, we found a connection to another man she met while strolling on the island,” he said.
Wanky said the man invited her to drink coconut juice.
“It turned out that the person who invited her to drink coconut juice knew the three other suspects,” he said.
The region’s top police official said witnesses have provided statements supporting their investigation.
“So far, their testimonies match the evidence we have gathered,” he said.
Mickova’s decomposing body was found two days after she was reported missing.
She was found without her lower garments but was still wearing her upper clothing, which was rolled up.
Her body was discovered in a supine position with her legs spread apart.
She was still wearing her shoes and carrying her belt bag, which contained only lotion and a pair of headphones.
Her wallet and mobile phone were missing.
Mickova arrived on Boracay Island on March 1 to attend the wedding of a Filipina and her foreign fiancé.
Wanky said she was supposed to travel with her Egyptian boyfriend, a friend of the Filipina’s husband.
However, she had to travel alone after her boyfriend was denied a Philippine visa.
Her Filipina friend reported her missing after she could not contact her.
The victim and her friends reportedly stayed in different hotels.
Police said the location where her body was found was about a kilometer from her accommodations.
Her Filipina friend said Mickova enjoyed visiting ruins alone.
Investigators believe she may have searched online and found the abandoned chapel.
Wanky stressed that the incident is an isolated case.
“This is not common, and based on Boracay police records, it is the first case of this kind on the island,” he said.
“We assure the public that Boracay Island remains a safe and secure destination, with law enforcement authorities committed to maintaining peace and order,” he added.
Wanky also vowed that justice will be served against the perpetrators.
