I. THE LIFE OF RIZAL VENEGAS AND THE SECRET LOVE

This story, which took place in Singapore in 2012, remains partially unresolved, as formal, deep explanations for the motive behind the criminal act were never fully established, due to the loss of life of the suspected assailant. This is the story of a Filipina found deceased inside a Singapore motel room, alongside her Bangladeshi boyfriend.

The Filipina was identified as Rizal Venegas (33), originally from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. She was a mother of three children in the Philippines, who were under the care of their father.

Rizal had been working in Singapore as a domestic helper for nearly six years, and had been with her current employer—an elderly woman with two children—for approximately one year. Her employers were kind, providing her with proper days off.

Rizal, known as “Rezy” to her friends, was active on Facebook, maintaining almost 1,600 friends and regularly updating her pictures with friends every Sunday on her day off. Rizal met her boyfriend, Muhammad Sumon Lutar (22), from Bangladesh, in August 2011.

Following the start of their relationship, Rizal began to withdraw from her circle of friends. The age gap between them was significant: Muhammad was 10 years younger than Rizal.

Muhammad, a single man, had worked in Singapore for about four years for an air conditioning company. His colleagues noted that he had a history of relationships with Indonesian and Filipina girlfriends.

Muhammad was described by acquaintances as an easy-going man who rarely shared details about his personal life. Reports indicated that he was a graduate of Dhaka College in Bangladesh, one of the top universities there, and was considered the most proficient English speaker among the 30 workers at his company.

II. THE VOLATILE RELATIONSHIP AND THE MOTEL TRAGEDY

Rizal and Muhammad’s relationship grew serious after only a few months. They were often seen together, exchanging engagement rings and jewelry, including a silver necklace Muhammad gave to Rizal.

Their relationship was highly visible on social media. Rizal’s posts spoke of finding someone “who is not only proud and happy to be with you, but someone willing to risk and give effort just to be with you.”

Muhammad’s post, conversely, was simpler: “I’m madly in love with [Rizal].” However, Rizal’s close friends revealed that the couple frequently argued, and Rizal had confided in them that she wanted to end the relationship with Muhammad.

In stark contrast, Muhammad’s colleagues claimed he never mentioned his relationship with Rizal. They had no idea he was romantically involved.

On the night of March 4, 2012, at approximately 11:40 PM, an employee at the Summer Hotel discovered the two deceased lovers. The Geylang area of Singapore, where the Summer Hotel was located, is known for its numerous short-term check-in hotels.

The hotel receptionist, Mr. T.Y. (67), stated that Muhammad was a regular customer, checking in once a week, always accompanied by a woman. However, he did not recall seeing Rizal before the night of the crime.

Muhammad and Rizal checked in at 6:10 PM, using Muhammad’s work permit to rent the room for only five hours at a cost of 43 Singapore dollars (about 1,700 pesos at the time). Around 11:30 PM, the night receptionist, Mr. Koh, called the room to advise them it was time to check out, but received no answer.

Mr. Koh proceeded to the room, knocked, and again received no reply. He decided to use the master key to unlock the door, where he discovered the bodies.

Rizal was found lying on the bed, and Muhammad was found on the bathroom floor. Both were lifeless and covered in blood.

III. THE FORENSIC EVIDENCE AND THE BENGALI WRITING

Hotel staff immediately called the police and paramedics. Upon arrival, paramedics confirmed the loss of life of both individuals.

The investigation revealed that Rizal had multiple stab wounds on her body. Authorities believe Muhammad stabbed Rizal multiple times before inflicting self-harm.

The murder weapon, a long knife, was found inside the room. Mr. Koh confirmed that the hotel does not provide knives or blades to guests.

The police concluded that the deaths were premeditated, meaning the crime was planned beforehand. CCTV footage confirmed that no one entered or left the room during the time the criminal act occurred.

The investigation uncovered a chilling piece of evidence when police visited Muhammad’s dormitory. They found his mattress and pillow inscribed with writings in Bengali (Muhammad’s native language) that declared, “She is mine, and I won’t let her live.”

This evidence strongly supported the police’s theory that Muhammad caused Rizal’s loss of life. No one from the neighboring rooms or the four floors of the hotel reported hearing any suspicious noise, fighting, or loud sounds.

The quiet nature of the crime suggested a sudden, planned attack. A cleaner who worked at the hotel on the day of the incident noted that Rizal seemed normal.

She had even posted a picture on social media with Muhammad an hour before checking into the hotel. However, Muhammad’s roommate noted his unusual behavior that day: he woke up early, cooked fried eggs and rice for himself, and visited a mosque—something he had never done before.

IV. FAMILY RECONCILIATION AND LINGERING DOUBTS

Rizal’s relationship with her mother, Matilde, had been strained for years because Matilde disapproved of Rizal’s live-in partner (believed to be the father of her three children). However, a reconciliation occurred when Rizal learned that her long-time partner had been seeing other women and was already secretly married to someone else before their relationship.

Matilde and Rizal began speaking regularly on the phone in early 2012, the same year Rizal passed away. Rizal also told her mother about Muhammad.

Matilde, who last saw her daughter in 2007 before she went abroad, was devastated by the news. She requested access to the official police reports to understand the events leading to her daughter’s passing.

Rizal’s aunt, Fatima, revealed that Rizal had plans to marry Muhammad in June 2012 but was worried about the rumors that would spread when she returned home. On March 8, 2012, the funeral mass for Rizal was held in the Philippines.

The family mourned the fact that she returned home lifeless, shortly after reconciling with her mother. Rizal’s brother revealed that she had recently sent him almost Php10,000 for a motorcycle down payment.

Despite the police investigation concluding that Rizal was the victim of a homicide by her boyfriend, followed by his self-inflicted injuries, many family members publicly doubted the official declaration. They pointed to the couple’s last social media updates, which showed them happily together.

The police maintained their belief that there was no foul play committed by an outside party and that Muhammad caused Rizal’s loss of life out of a fatal, possessive rage before ending his own life. The case remains a tragic testament to the destructive power of obsession and violence hidden beneath a facade of love.