LONDON – The decomposing body of a 37-year-old Filipina care worker was discovered in a suitcase in a farmland in Kent.
Leah Questin, a care worker at Lansdowne Care Home in Cricklewood, London was last seen alive on September 12.
Questin failed to report for work and efforts by close friends to contact and locate her failed. She was reported missing to the police on September 16.
The Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom said forensic investigation confirmed the body found on September 24 in Kent by a dog walker was indeed Questin’s.
“Unang-una nakikiramay po ang ating embahada. Sa ngalan po ng ating Ambassador Antonio Lagdameao, sa pamilya ni Leah. Nanawagan rin po ang awtoridad sa UK, kasama na ang embahada na kung meron pong Pilipino o kahit po hindi Pilipino na kilala ang biktima, kung maari lang magbigay ng impormasyon. Kung meron silang nalalaman ay ipagbigay alam po sa Embahada at sa awtoridad sa London,” said Minister and Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega.
De Vega also said she has met with the investigating officers handling Questin’s case and has seen the photos of Questin’s remains.
“S’yempre may decomposition na. Hindi na rin po talaga makikita mismong mukha ng biktima,” said De Vega. She added the biometric details of Questin matched that of the body in the suitcase.
An information technology specialist identified as Clinton Bailey of Southeast London was arrested and has been charged with murder. It was reported that Questin met with Bailey before she disappeared.
Questin’s friends at Lansdowne Care Home are still shocked by the news. They said what happened to Questin was unthinkable. They refused to give any further comment.
“Leah was a conscientious, dedicated and well-liked member of staff, who has worked with us for more than a year. She will be sadly missed by colleagues and residents. Our thoughts and sympathies are with her family and friends at this sad time,” said the Home’s spokesperson, Helen Logan.
The Philippine Embassy in the UK appealed to Filipinos in the UK to be extra careful at all times.
“Sa mga kabayan natin, lagi pong mag-iingat kung sino po ang kinakausap, kung sino po ang nakakahalubilo at kung sino po ang nagkakaroon tayo ng contact, sana po may element palagi ng pag-iingat at pagsusuri,” said De Vega.
Questin was a student taking up NVQ courses at Thames College and held a part-time job as a care worker. Police have yet to establish the cause of death and motive in the killing.
