Mall goers got the shock of their lives when a 48-year-old woman fell from the fifth floor into the basement of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Valentine’s Day.
Police identified the fatality as Madonna Guanzon, jobless, of Palmera Homes 2, Barangay Dolores, Taytay, Rizal.
A photo of Guanzon sprawled on the floor face down went viral in social media since it was first posted by a certain Micko Ynion Tarepe Sunday night.
A comment on the viral photo claimed that Guanzon was strolling with friends when she sat on the railings and shouted, “Walang forever.” Then, Guanzon allegedly lost balance and fell. The post has gained more than 12,000 likes and nearly 19,000 shares.
Police, however, disputed the claim on social media. SPO1 Jamar Sabri, case investigator, said that based on their initial investigation, Guanzon allegedly took her own life by jumping from the fifth floor of SM Megamall Building B.
Sabri said Analyn Cesista, 31, saw the incident at 7:23 p.m. Cesista told police that she was in front of Posh Nails Salon, where she works as a manicurist, and was talking to someone over the phone when she witnessed Guanzon stepped on the glass railings of the mall and leaped down to the basement.
Cesista said she was just a meter or more away from the scene. She added that Guanzon had no companion. Sabri said they are still talking to more witnesses to find out the truth.
The family of the victim is still in a shock and could not disclose more details to the police. “Hindi pa namin makausap ng masinsinan ang pamilya, pati live-in partner niya na hindi humihinto sa pag-iyak. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin namin matiyak ang dahilan,” said Sabri.
It was learned that Guanzon was living with her female lover for 10 years. Police said they were still determining whether Guanzon was with someone and are checking closed-circuit television footages that would help in solving the mystery behind Guanzon’s death.
The mall management said there are no CCTV cameras installed on the area but vowed to cooperate with the authorities in the investigation.
In a statement released yesterday, SM Supermalls senior vice president Steven Tan said mall personnel rushed Guanzon to the hospital after the incident.
“A woman fell at Building B in SM Megamall. She was immediately rushed to the hospital by the mall personnel. The mall security and the local authorities are currently investigating the matter. We will cooperate for further inquiry,” Tan said.
Police said Guanzon was immediately taken to the Medical City Hospital in Pasig City. She was declared dead at 7:46 p.m.
