American, 69, found dead

CEBU, Philippines - A 69-year-old American national was found dead inside his rented apartment Sunday afternoon in barangay Cubacub in Mandaue City.

Jay-ar Artiaga, 17, called police when he smelled something rotten that came from the apartment of neighbor Robert Vance Smith of Rhode Island, USA.

Neighbors said Smith had not been seen out of his apartment for days already.

His Filipino girlfriend left him months ago and had not reappeared, they said.

Neighbors also said Smith suffered from a heart disease and prostate cancer.

The television set and the lights were on when police arrived at his home.

PInsp. Atilano Fabella, who led a SOCO team, said the police cannot determine right away whether Smith had open wounds because his body was already in a state of decomposition when found.

The guess is that he must have died five days ago. (FREEMAN)

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