Autopsy reveals Cabral's death caused by blunt trauma from fall

The Philippine National Police Forensic Group (PNP-FG) has released the medico-legal autopsy results for former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral.

The autopsy conducted by the PNP showed that Cabral had multiple injuries, including fractures in her left femur, ankle, tibia, and fibula, as well as a dislocated hip. The PNP-FG estimated that she passed away between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on December 18, 2025, the day her body was found along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet. The report indicated that she died from "blunt traumatic injuries to the head, trunk, and left upper and lower extremities due to a fall from height."

The PNP Forensic Group earlier confirmed that Cabral had traces of Citalopram, an antidepressant, in her system.

According to a Camp Crame statement, one of the recognized side effects of Citalopram is "suicidal behavior," which authorities are now factoring into the ongoing investigation.

Additionally, the PNP reported that postmortem fingerprints taken from Cabral's body matched the digital fingerprints on file with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), verifying that both sets belonged to the same individual.