Motive of Aussie couple’s alleged killer in luxury hotel revealed

The family of an Australian couple found dead in a hotel room broke down as they revealed the cruelty behind the senseless murder the Philippines.

The family of an Australian man murdered in his hotel room alongside his wife and daughter-in-law in The Philippines say they’re struggling to understand how anyone could be so “cruel” in hurting innocent people.

Lucinda and Brittany Fisk, said they have been afraid and confused ever since learning their father had been killed.

“We have been living and continuing to live a nightmare until any of this makes sense,” Lucinda told 9News.

“For someone to take our father away from us so cruelly … it just doesn’t make sense.

The killer used to work as a swimming pool cleaner at the hotel where the bodies of the Australian couple and Ms Cortez were found

“We won’t stop fighting until we find out why, and we won’t stop fighting until we have justice for our father and Lucita.”

Brittany said she hoped nobody else will ever have to go through the nightmare her family are enduring.

“I’m angry, I’m really angry, and I’m scared … I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” she said.
The man allegedly responsible was a former employee of the hotel who wanted to “get back at the hotel management” for his dismissal.

David James Fisk, 57, and his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, a Philippine-born Australian citizen were found with their limbs bound and mouths covered with tape at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, southwest of Manila.

A third person – Ms Cortez’s daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, from Oriental Mindoro -was also found dead.

Tagaytay police chief Charles Daven M Capagcuan held a press conference Wednesday where the 31-year-old suspect was seen wearing handcuffs with a black hoodie, sunglasses and a black face mask.

The 31-year-old suspect was seen wearing handcuffs with a black hoodie, sunglasses and a black face mask.

The man used to work as a swimming pool cleaner at the hotel where the bodies of the Australian couple and Ms Cortez were found, Mr Capagcuan told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

“He wanted to get back at the hotel management for his dismissal,” Mr Capagcuan said.

The man allegedly acknowledged he attacked Mr Fisk with a knife and suffocated Ms Barquin and Ms Cortez before taking Mr Fisk’s watch and shoes.

The arrest comes after investigating officers revealed he allegedly stayed for five hours in the hotel room after gaining entry in the middle of the night using a swipe card.

David James Fisk, 57, and his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, a Philippine-born Australian citizen. Picture: Supplied

Philippine authorities are currently trying to determine the exact events that transpired in the room where the murders occurred, before the victims were discovered by a hotel worker.

Local media reports say hotel security guard Rodney Parahinog passed the alleged killer at 6am on Wednesday last week at the resort’s entrance gate and asked him where he was going.

Mr Parahinog said the man told him he was a guest and was holding a swipe card for Mr Fisk’s room.

Philippines police said an autopsy report revealed the two women died of asphyxia, while Mr Fisk had a wound to his neck.

Mary Jane Cortez, 30, from Oriental Mindoro, who police said was the daughter-in-law of Ms Cortez. Picture: Supplied

“We are still in the process of our investigation and gathering all the necessary information to establish the real motive for this case,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Charles Daven Capagcuan said.

“We have followed him [the suspected killer] after he exited from the hotel and more than that, we are still in the process of investigating.”

CCTV footage showed a man entering the hotel, wearing a hoodie and mask and carrying a sling bag, and then walking out of the victim’s room just hours before the bodies were found.

He was also seen leaving the room for the first time at 1am.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered support from the Australian Federal Police for the investigation.

The distraught family of Mr Fisk have spoken of their shock and love for them.

The Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, located in Cavite province where two Australians were killed.

Mr Fisk was from Peakhurst in Sydney’s southwest and worked as a business developer executive at Jiwa ERP, according to his Facebook page.

“The love we have for our father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living a nightmare,” the family’s statement read.

“We pray for answers and the truth in this horrific matter and just pray for their safe return to Australian shores.

“David’s daughters, local known and loved residents in the Sutherland Shire, ask on behalf of their family that the media respect our privacy in this incredibly difficult and tragic time and we will be making no further comment.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe page for anyone who wants to contribute.

Police units, including the dog squad were called in to search.

The mayor of the town, Abraham Tolentino, said he hoped the incident would be resolved “as soon as possible”.

“We were shocked by this incident. We’re very sorry to our Australian friends,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) said they were providing consular assistance to the families of the Australians killed.

Mr Fisk’s body will be repatriated to Sydney. The women will be buried in the Philippines, with the government to pay for their funeral service and burial.

Originally published as Motive of Aussie couple’s alleged killer in luxury hotel revealed