July 17, 2024 - Early Wednesday morning, the prime suspect linked to the tragic killings of an Australian couple and a Filipino woman at Tagaytay City's Lake Hotel last week turned himself in to authorities voluntarily.
Identified as alias "Ronel," a 33-year-old former employee of the hotel residing in Amadeo, Cavite, the suspect surrendered to Mayor Jey Cerrado of Tuy, Batangas, where he had been hiding after the incident. Mayor Cerrado promptly handed him over to Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino, who in turn delivered him to the police.
According to Lt. Col. Charles Daven Capagcuan, chief of police at the Tagaytay Component City Police Station, the victims were identified as David James Fisk, Lucita Cortez, and Mary Jane Cortez, the latter being a Filipina companion of the couple.
Investigations revealed that the suspect harbored a vendetta against the hotel management following his termination from employment, which allegedly motivated the fatal attack on the victims.
Currently under the custody of the Tagaytay Component City Police Station, the suspect awaits further legal proceedings.
Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, director of Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon), commended the efforts of the Special Investigation Task Group David Fisk, led by Col. Eleuterio Ricardo Jr., for their dedication in swiftly identifying the suspect and ensuring justice for the victims.