Dumaguete: The United States Embassy in Manila has authorized the autopsy of the body of a 72-year-old American national who was shot dead along with his Filipina wife inside their rented house in Barangay Bajumpandan here early Wednesday. Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), informed the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that the embassy issued the necessary certification after the victim's brother gave his consent.

According to Philippines News Agency, the autopsy of the American national, Mark Duell, is expected to be carried out soon, with hopes that the results will aid investigators in their probe into the shooting. The body of Duell's wife, 71-year-old Elsie Duell, had already undergone an autopsy, Polinar added. The couple was gunned down inside their rented house by still unidentified suspects who remain at large.

Police have recovered slugs and spent shells from a caliber .45 pistol inside the house, suggesting that a single firearm may have been used. The Special Investigation Task Group Duell is currently awaiting the results of the ballistic examination to confirm this.

Initial investigations indicate that at least two suspects may have been involved, although the couple's 53-year-old caretaker reported seeing only one armed man. The suspects allegedly held the caretaker at gunpoint and tied her up inside the maid's quarters before proceeding to the main house.

Investigators are considering robbery with homicide as a possible motive, as PHP60,000 in cash, gold jewelry, and other valuables were reported missing from the residence. The missing items were identified based on information provided by Elsie Duell's family, who mentioned that Mark usually carried cash and kept some money in a drawer.

Police are appealing to neighbors and other residents with security camera footage that could help identify the suspects and lead to their arrest, as the couple's rented house did not have a closed-circuit television camera.