American murdered in Tagaytay

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Philippines—An ailing American was murdered when robbers broke into his home in Tagaytay City, Cavite, hours before Christmas Eve, police on Sunday said.

James Thomas Kakara, 61, was found dead around 9:40 a.m. on Saturday or about a couple of hours after he was killed inside his home in Barangay Kaybagal South, according to Senior Supt. John Bulalacao, Cavite police director.

Police believed a piece of metal, recovered from the victim’s swimming pool, was used to kill the American, who died of head injury.

Bulalacao said Kakara, a retired consultant for an American security agency, had lived in the Philippines with his Filipino wife Norlita Ilejay-Kakara, 37, for over four years. The couple also lived with Nola, a minor, and Norlita’s daughter with a Filipino man, whom James Thomas had legally adopted.

On Friday evening, Norlita, Nola, and house helpers Mary Jane Montero, 19, and Rebylyn Iso (age unknown), spent the night at a resort in Nasugbu, Batangas, while James Thomas was left alone in the house.

When the family got back Saturday morning, Norlita noticed that the back door of the house was left open.

Montero, who was interviewed by the police, said Norlita immediately sought help from the neighbors after finding her husband dead on his bed.

Robbery

Bulalacao said a black shoulder bag that contained $3,000 and P15,000 was missing. The bag also contained P61,000 that the couple was supposed to use to buy a new wheelchair for James Thomas, who lost a leg to diabetes.

Also missing were the victim’s cellular phone and a computer laptop.

Norlita had requested that her husband’s remains be cremated Saturday afternoon after the police conducted an autopsy, said Bulalacao.

Police initially said robbery was the motive although Bulalacao said they would be conducting a deeper investigation after they found no signs of forced entry into the house. They also found out that the couple had not been sleeping together anymore.

According to investigators, Norlita, who remained in shock, has yet to give full her statement to police.