No signs of crime yet in bride-to-be disappearance—QCPD
There is currently no evidence suggesting that a crime occurred in the disappearance of a bride-to-be who was recently found in Pangasinan, the Quezon City Police District said.
"Sa ngayon dahil wala pa tayong nakukuhang ibang evidence na nagkaroon nga po ng crime ay hindi pa po natin masasabi,” QCPD spokesperson Police Major Jennifer Gannaban told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
“Pero once po na ma-confirm natin kung sapilitan ba o hindi 'yung pagkakapunta niya doon ay doon po tayo magko-conclude o maglalabas po ng update,” she added.
She noted that while De Juan’s fiancé, Mark Arjay Reyes, was previously considered a person of interest, Gannaban stressed that he is not considered a suspect.
“Nabanggit din po natin 'yan na naging person of interest siya dahil siya po 'yung nakapagbigay po sa atin ng mahalagang information na nakatulong dito sa investigation natin,” Gannaban said.
“Sa ngayon po wala namang evidence na nagpapakita na siya nga po 'yung may gawa kaya hindi po natin siya maituturing na suspect,” she added.
How she ended up in Pangasinan
De Juan narrated to the police that she boarded a van to go to a mall that day, and she was looking for her bridal shoes.
"Nabanggit niya na pumunta nga siya doon sa mall pero lumipat siya kaya kinailangan niyang sumakay sa SUV," Gannaban told ABS-CBN News.
"May mga nakasabay daw siya sa van, hindi niya po mapaliwanag pa kung bakit nakarating siya sa Pangasinan, ayun 'yung iniimbestigahan natin sa ngayon," she added.
Per De Juan's narrative, there were two other men in the van other than the driver.
"Ang salaysay niya is nung magising siya, or nung matauhan siya, nasa Pangasinan na siya. Backtracking po muna tayo kung san bumyahe 'yung van na sinakyan niya," Gannaban said.
De Juan returned to Manila with her family and police on Dec. 29. She underwent a medical assessment after experiencing nausea due to limited food intake for weeks she had been missing.
"Batay sa initial medical evaluation, si Sherra, ay nagsabi ng kanyang karamdaman sa pagduduwal (nausea). Lumalabas na ilang araw siyang halos tubig lamang ang iniinom at kamakailan ay muling kumain, na maaaring naging sanhi ng kanyang nararamdaman. Wala namang nakitang palatandaan ng seryosong karamdaman at nanatiling maayos ang kanyang vital signs sa oras ng pagsusuri," QCPD wrote in their Dec. 30 statement.
Her symptoms were likely acid-peptic disease or dyspepsia from irregular eating or sudden food intake. She was treated with medication, advised to rest, and given follow-up instructions if symptoms persist.
'Her health is our top priority'
Reyes, for his part, expressed his family's gratitude after sharing the news about his fiancée's safe return, noting that they will focus on her recovery first.
"At this time, we are still not fully aware of everything that happened, as my fiancée is not yet able to clearly remember the entire incident. We respectfully ask for understanding as we allow her the time and space to recover," he wrote.
"Her health is our top priority, especially as she has lost a significant amount of weight and needs proper care, rest, and healing—both physically and emotionally," he continued.
"We will be leaving the matter to the expertise and proper handling of our personnel in uniform. Our full trust is with them as they continue their work with professionalism and care," he added.
He also thanked the QCPD, the Sison Pangasinan Police, as well as those who supported them during the ordeal.
"We ask for continued prayers for Sherra’s healing, strength, and peace as we move forward one day at a time," he concluded.
De Juan and Reyes were supposed to get married on Dec. 14. But in the afternoon of Dec. 10, De Juan left supposedly for a mall in north Fairview to buy wedding shoes, but she did not return.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. later ordered Philippine National Police units in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces to combine their search efforts. He also authorized a special investigation team to pursue all angles in the case.
