Mystery hounds death of 70-year-old expat in Mandaue

A 70-year old American was found dead in his rented house in barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City last Sunday afternoon.

Neighbors reported to police the foul smell emanating from the home of Robert Vance Smith who moved from Rhode Island, USA. They also noticed that he was no longer seen outside of his house, while his car was just parked at the garage for days.

According to the neighbors, Smith had a girlfriend living with him, but she left several months ago.

Policemen from the Canduman Police Station and the Scene of Crime Operatives (Soco) of the Mandaue City Police Office forced opened Smith’s house and found his body already decomposing on the sofa with the TV set still on.

Insp. Atilano Fabella of the Soco said an autopsy would be performed to determine if Smith died from natural causes or foul play. They, however did not find any evidence of forced entry in his house and his belongings were untouched.

His neighbors however consider the American expatriate’s death as mysterious.

Cristita Vega, a barangay councilman of Cubacub who lives just several meters from Smith’s house said Smith is the second foreigner who died in the same house originally owned by the late Allan Yap, a former police officer.

A Japanese national and his Filipina wife did not finish their lease contract for the house a few years ago, complaining of strange things happening inside the house, like furnitures moving even when no one is around.

The house, Vega said is reputed to be haunted.