Is 'water tank bones' killing a crime of passion?

By Park Si-soo

Police are hunting a Filipino man as a prime suspect in the “factory water tank” homicide case in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

Earlier, police identified four Filipino men as suspects and were tracing their whereabouts. But the investigation is now zeroing in on one as new evidence has emerged.

Police investigators said the suspect is believed to be in the Philippines. They identified him as a prime suspect after finding a critical mismatch between his allegations and evidence. They did not give further details.

Meanwhile, South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported police had secured testimony that indicated a possible motive for the killing.

The paper said the suspect was homosexual and had feelings for the victim who was heterosexual.

“The investigation is gaining momentum as fresh evidence and testimonies have come forward,” an investigator said. “We are also trying to find out if the case was a crime of passion.”

The investigation started after human bones were found in a factory's water purifying tank in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, in early April. The bones were confirmed to be those of a Filipino man who had worked at a factory in the city before vanishing in January 2016.

Workers cleaning the tank found the bones wrapped up in a jacket on April 3. Police said the skeleton's left side was crushed, indicating something had hit the victim. Investigators believe this happened when the man was alive.

Police also believe the victim was killed elsewhere and the body was dumped in the tank.