A FOURTH suspect has voluntarily surrendered to authorities in connection with the fatal shooting of renowned American marine biologist Kent Carpenter, who was killed in his residence in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
According to a report aired on Balitanghali this Friday, the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office confirmed that this individual played the role of a lookout during the attack that claimed Carpenter’s life. Notably, this suspect was not part of the original roster of four alleged perpetrators that investigators had previously identified and released to the public, marking a significant development in the ongoing probe into the high-profile case.
The newly surrendered suspect has already undergone inquest proceedings, a legal step that formally establishes whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges and a full trial.
At present, law enforcement authorities have four individuals in official custody in relation to the killing, while one more person remains the subject of an active manhunt. As stated in a separate update from Super Radyo dzBB, investigators are focusing their search efforts on an individual known only by the alias “Eden,” whose exact identity and connection to the crime remain under careful review by the police.
Carpenter was brutally killed on July 12 inside his own home, where he had been watching television when armed men forcibly entered the premises and shot him at close range in the head. During the same incident, his live-in partner was reportedly sexually assaulted by the attackers. In the early stages of the investigation, authorities had classified the partner as a person of interest, prompting public speculation about her possible involvement. However, police have since officially revised her status, confirming that she is now recognized as a complainant and witness to the crime, and is receiving appropriate support as legal processes move forward.
Kent Carpenter was widely respected for his decades of work to protect marine ecosystems, with his research serving as critical scientific evidence that supported the Philippines’ historic arbitral victory over its maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea. GMA News has stated that its team is working to secure official statements from all apprehended suspects, as well as to gather further details about the motive behind the attack and the full extent of each suspect’s participation. Investigators continue to appeal to the public for any information that could lead to the immediate arrest of the remaining fugitive, “Eden,” as they work to ensure accountability for the crime.
metrosundaily
