An American national was found dead inside his room in a property at the South Road Properties (SRP), Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

The room reeked reportedly of decay which called the attention of security guards.

Based on his passport, the police established his identity to be 60-year-old Thomas Melvin Owens, a former physical therapist from California in the United States of America.

The body was found at 4:41 p.m. on December 16, 2024.

Scene of the Crime Operations 7 personnel determined that the foreigner was noticed to have not left his room since December 14, 2024.

The security guards were the first to notice the stench in the area. When they had the room checked, they found the body of the American national sprawled on the floor. 

Police confirmed that the body is already in a state of decomposition. 

As of this writing, police have not disclosed yet whether there was foul play in the incident or that the foreigner could have died of natural cause.