PNP: Couple found dead in parking lot tests positive for oxalic acid

The bodies of the couple found unconscious in a mall parking lot in Las Piñas City last month had tested positive for oxalic acid, the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory said Tuesday.

PNP Crime Laboratory Acting Director Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Aranas cited an August 6 report which stated the results of the forensics examination conducted on the bodies of Jose Maria C. Escano, 51 and Juliet Y. Escano, 51.

“Toxicology examination conducted on the collected items and stomach contents of the victims gave positive result to the test for the presence of oxalic acid,” the report read.

The scene-of-the-crime investigators found one plastic bottle of Tropicana Juice drink, two red Gulp paper cups, one small transparent plastic cup (containing suspected vomit), two green plastic straws, one black plastic trash bin, and 35 pieces of assorted receipts in the couple’s car.

The Escano couple were found unconscious in a mall parking lot in Daang Hari, Las Piñas City last July 9. A security guard of the mall found an unresponsive Juliet and a weak but still responsive Jose Maria lying on the pavement behind the vehicle.

Juliet was pronounced dead-on-arrival at Metro South Medical Center in Bacoor City, while Jose Maria died on July 10 at Las Piñas Medical Center.

The autopsy examination revealed “shock secondary to ingestion of toxic substance” as the cause of the Escanos’ death.

Aranas said that oxalic acid is a poisonous, colorless substance which is not easily traced when dissolved in beverages.

“About 10 µg/mL (micrograms per milliliter) of oxalic acid is considered (a) dangerous amount. The average human body contains approximately four liters of blood. Therefore, it will only take about 40mg of oxalic acid to poison a human body which can potentially lead to a person’s death.” Aranas added. Aries Joseph Hegina, INQUIRER.net

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