19-year-old arrested for killing 17-year-old live-in partner in Isulan

Isulan municipal police arrested 19-year-old Norberto Marcella Jr., a packer at MGM Shopping Plaza, after a chase early Sunday. The suspect is linked to the death of his 17-year-old live-in partner, identified only as “Grace,” who was pronounced dead on arrival at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital. Police say the fatal event took place at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in a boarding house located in Barangay Kalawag 2, where the two were cohabiting.

The victim’s uncle alerted authorities at 2:30 a.m. following a phone call in which the suspect reportedly admitted responsibility in Ilongo. Investigators are examining the case as an alleged murder, with possible strangulation as the manner of death. The suspect initially took the victim to the hospital before fleeing, leading to his apprehension at 8:30 a.m.