Vivamax actress and model Gina Lima found dead at 23

Gina Lima, a 23-year-old Vivamax talent, was found dead in a condominium unit in Quezon City. 

According to a report by TV Patrol, Lima's former boyfriend, model Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, brought her to the Quezon City General Hospital on Sunday, Nov. 16, where Lima was declared dead on arrival. 

"N'ung tiningnan niya 'yung katabi niya, parang wala nang buhay. Kaya isinugod na sa ospital," said PMAJ. Jennifer Gannaban of the Quezon City Police Station 1. 

"Hospital po mismo 'yung tumawag sa Police Station 1 na nagsasabing may insidente na ganun. Kaya pinuntahan po ng Station 1 and 'yun nga po 'yung nailagay nila sa report," she said.

Officials from the Scene of the Crime Operation investigated Ronquillo's condo unit and found no evidence of a struggle. 

In the initial report, Lima's cause of death was filed as cardio respiratory distress. 

Investigators found bruises on Lima's thighs, but police said these are inconclusive and that the victim's body needs to undergo an autopsy to determine Lima's exact cause of death. 

According to PltCol. Edison Ouano, chief, QCPD-CIDU, "Sa initial cursory examination natin sa mga investigator, so far wala pong nakitang stragulation o mga pasa na dahilan sa pagkamatay ng biktima. I-open natin [sa autopsy] kapag may doubt tayo kung may foul play o natural cause, para malaman talaga kung ano talaga ang cause ng ikinamatay ng isang biktima."

Reports said Lima and Ronquillo had not been in a relationship for three years prior to the incident. 

Lima's friends have expressed their grief on social media, with several raising suspicion about the presence of the bruises on her body. 

QCPD's official statement

On Nov. 18, the Quezon City Police District gave a more complete picture of the circumstances surrounding Lima's death. 

According to the statement, Lima passed away at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Barangay Apolonio Samson, Quezon City. 

The next day, Lima's ex-boyfriend voluntarily appeared at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit to give a sworn statement. The QCPD did not name the boyfriend. 

The statement narrated that on the morning of Nov. 16, the man and Lima arrived at his home, and took a nap at noon. At 8 p.m., he woke up and attempted to wake Lima, whom he found unresponsive. 

With his father, they brought Lima to the Quezon City General Hospital, where the attending physician declared her dead on arrival. 

The QCPD is awaiting official autopsy results.