Hair strands may offer clue to teacher’s killer

DNA testing may be required to crack this one.

A 25-year-old female English tutor was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her Pasig City residence on Thursday, still clasping a few strands of hair which investigators said could be that of her attacker.

Police identified the victim as Anna Ysabel Santos, 25, a resident of Doña Juana Subdivision in Barangay Rosario.

Her sister, Kristine Camille Santos, reported finding Anna lying face up in her bed, covered in blood and her forehead covered with masking tape. A long cord and a knife were also found in the bedroom.

Senior Insp. Roderick Tonga, commander of the local police precinct, noted that Kristine reported her sister’s death at around past 7 p.m., two hours after the discovery of the body.

The victim was stabbed at least seven times, Tonga said.

Tonga said investigators are keeping the hair strands found in the victim’s hands, a possible sign that Santos tried to fight off her attacker by pulling the assailant’s hair.

Police have ruled out robbery since no cash or valuables were apparently stolen from the victim’s house. “It’s possible that the victim knew her killer since there was no sign of forced entry into her house or her room,” Tonga said.