BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 23) — Relatives of an elderly woman was found dead inside her house here Tuesday morning appealed for public assistance in solving the brutal killing of their kin, through a leaflet they distributed recently.

According to a police report, Mary Layagan-Agustin, 68, of Barangay Hillside, died of massive head injury. A piece of galvanized iron pipe, believed used to kill the victim, was reportedly found near the body by responding neighbors. Her hands bore “defense wounds” apparently trying to stop her attacker(s). She was believed killed between 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. on August 21.

Agustin was reportedly living alone. Her children and husband are in the US. One Julie Bandoy, Agustin’s cousin, discovered her death when no one was responding to her when she called to ask for sayote tops. She found Agustin’s body face down.

Bandoy, went out immediately and cried for help, to which more neighbors responded. They noticed that Agustin’s purse, which she used to sling to her neck, was missing.

Relatives urge witnesses to shed light for the immediate solution of the case.

“Ang imbestigasyon ay kasalukuyang isinasagawa at sana ay magtapos nang may hustisya,” (Investigation is going on and we hope it ends with justice) a public appeal for justice read. Relatives appeal for any information leading to the solution of the crime, giving landline numbers 443-9114- (police); and 446-3917 (barangay council) and cellphone numbers 09108534639; 09157492710; and 09194872492.

In a related development, at dawn on July 15, a Nordis newsboy was stabbed with an icepick in the same vicinity allegedly by some members of a local street boys’ gang. A suspect has been apprehended and is awaiting court litigation. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS