Another dead body found

Authorities are investigating the death of a man found at Char’s Commercial Building in Chalan Kanoa last Tuesday night. The Department of Public Safety shared that the body was discovered at approximately 6:55pm last Oct. 22 in an early state of decomposition.

DPS assistant chief of police and acting public information officer Simon T. Manacop shared with Saipan Tribune that the man, a Chinese national, has been officially identified, but DPS is unable to share who he is until his next of kin is contacted.

Manacop said according to a witness, the man was last seen and spoke to on Oct. 18, when he mentioned feeling unwell. Four days after on Oct. 22 his lifeless body was found in the early stages of decomposition.

“We are unable to confirm at this time if foul play was involved,” said Manacop. He added that just before the discovery, a worker for the building had tried to contact the man four times that day but received no response. The worker later found the victim in the apartment.

The man had reportedly been allowed to stay in the apartment by the building’s owner, though it was not his permanent residence.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau at (670) 664-9042 or call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at (670) 234-7272 to remain anonymous.

Last Oct. 6, police discovered the remains of a local fisherman known by the name “Ernie” behind a Garapan snack bar.

The grim discovery was made on Oct. 6, 2024, when a worker at the RNV Snack Bar arrived at the location and was drawn to a foul odor coming from behind the building. Following the scent, the worker found the body in a makeshift shack just behind the snack bar.

DPS learned that the deceased was last seen and reportedly made contact with a witness last Oct. 2. Police also added that DPS learned that the deceased was residing in the shack he was found in. Until now the cause of death is undetermined.