Model Ivan Cezar Ronquillo, the former boyfriend of deceased Vivamax actress and freelance model Gina Lima, was found dead in his condo unit on Wednesday morning, November 19—the same location where he discovered Lima lifeless three days earlier.
According to Lt. Col. Jose Luis Aguirre, station commander of the QCPD La Loma Police Station, Ronquillo was rushed to the Quezon City General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
“May nag-report po sa amin na itong boyfriend ng namatay na Vivamax actress na si Ivan Cezar Ronquillo ay nagpakamatay,” Aguirre told DZRH News.
Shortly after midnight on Nov. 19, Ronquillo briefly reactivated his Facebook account and posted several photos and videos of him and Lima. One post showed him crying beside a woman partially covered by a blanket, believed by commenters to be Lima.
In his caption, Ronquillo wrote messages indicating deep grief and expressing intent to “follow” Lima.
He also posted photos and videos of injuries on his face, blaming another man for inflicting the wounds.
Lima was found unresponsive by Ronquillo on Sunday night, Nov. 16. He brought her to the Quezon City General Hospital, where she was also declared dead on arrival.
A Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team inspected Ronquillo’s condo unit and found no signs of struggle, according to police.
Initial findings listed Lima’s cause of death as cardiorespiratory distress. Investigators noted small bruises on her thighs, but police said the marks were inconclusive, adding that an autopsy is necessary to determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities also disclosed that tablets and suspected kush were recovered from the unit pending laboratory results.
Police said Lima and Ronquillo had not been in a relationship for three years prior to the incident.
QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief PLTCOL Edison Ouano confirmed that Ronquillo sustained scratches on his face after some of Lima’s friends confronted him at the hospital.
He also said Lima’s siblings declined to give statements to media and that, so far, no one has reported any prior threats or abuse involving the model.
Ronquillo’s father likewise refused media interviews but maintained that his son was not responsible for Lima’s death. He was also the first person Ronquillo called when he found Lima unconscious.
Police are continuing their investigation into the deaths of both Lima and Ronquillo. Authorities have not ruled out any angles pending autopsy results, toxicology reports, and further interviews with individuals linked to the case.
