Man in custody over death of OFW in Jeddah hotel

MANILA – Saudi authorities took into custody a suspect in the killing of a 52-year-old Filipino household worker found dead in a Jeddah hotel over the weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

The agency did not disclose the man's name and nationality but said he was the last person seen with the Filipino before she was reported missing and found dead.

Initial inquiries made by the Consulate revealed that the OFW was single. She first arrived in Saudi Arabia to work as a household service worker in 2007.

Asked when her remains will be repatriated, DFA Spokesperson Elmer Cato said the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah is still waiting for the autopsy results.

"We would know once the final results of the investigation and autopsy are released," he told the media.

In his report to the DFA in Manila, Consul General Edgar Badajos said they only learned of the OFW's death through a concerned member of the Filipino community.

“We are saddened to learn about the passing under still unknown circumstances of one of our kababayans,” Badajos said.

Badajos and the Consulate continue to coordinate with local authorities and expect an update on their investigation as soon as results are available when the Eid holidays end next week.