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4 suspects in the killing of beauty queen Geneva Lopez and Israeli boyfriend arrested

By Brooke Villanueva
Published Mar 21, 2025 10:22 am
Finding Geneva and Yitshak / Facebook

Four suspects in the murder of beauty queen Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen have been arrested.

Teleradyo Serbisyo reported on Thursday, March 20 that the suspects were arrested in Tarlac. Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo confirmed that the alleged mastermind was among them.

According to PNP, the alleged mastermind met up with the victims before they were reported missing.

Per the outlet, the families of the victims are thankful for the development, but said they're still not ready to forgive the suspects.

The suspects are facing two counts of murder. One of them is still at large.

Lopez and Cohen were reported missing by her family on June 21, according to the Angeles City Police Office.

The beauty queen told her relatives that she and Cohen were scheduled to meet with someone to check out a property they were looking to buy in Capas.

The following day, Capas Fire Station responded to a car fire on the road on Tarlac. Lopez’s belongings, including her ID card, were discovered in the burnt sports utility vehicle.

Their deaths were confirmed on July 6 after authorities found two human remains in a remote area earlier in the day.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) named the suspects behind their deaths in a press conference two days later, including ex-cops Michael Guiang and Rommel Aboso, as well as civilian Jeffrey Santos.

"Itong tatlong ito, kasama ang dalawang nag-voluntary surrender sa kapulisan, sina alyas 'Junjun' at 'Dondon,'" DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos said.

Guiang and Aboso were dismissed from service in 2020 and 2019, respectively, after going absent without official leave.

The secretary also noted that the three suspects are under custody but for other cases. They had been arrested for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, said PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Leo Francisco. 

Lopez joined Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 as the representative of Sto. Tomas.

The 100 List

TAGS: MURDER Arrest geneva lopez yitshak cohen

About the author

Brooke Villanueva

Head Editor

Brooke Villanueva is the Head Editor of PhilSTAR L!fe, covering all things lifestyle. Apart from her responsibilities as a lifestyle journalist, she is also taking her MBA at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. She has completed a certificate program on the fundamentals of business developed by top faculty at Harvard Business School. Follow her on Instagram at @itsbrookevillanueva.