Elderly woman in Tayum, Abra found dead in irrigation canal just before 80th Birthday

Tayum, Abra – A family in Abra was supposed to celebrate their mother’s 80th birthday, but the occasion turned to grief after she was found dead in an irrigation canal in Tayum, Abra, on April 6, 2026.

The victim was identified by police as Conchita Molina Angeles, who was earlier reported missing by her family.

Relatives had earlier taken to social media to seek help in locating Angeles, who was last seen around 5:30 p.m. on April 5 in Macay, Bangued, wearing a green shirt and black pants.

Hours later, the body of the elderly woman was discovered at around 9:00 a.m. on April 6 in an irrigation canal in Barangay Deet, Tayum, nearly a day after she went missing.

In an interview with Balitang Solid North, Tayum Municipal Police Station Chief Police Captain Cerel Gaspili said the body was discovered by a farmer passing through the area.

The farmer, who is a relative of a barangay official, reported the incident to the barangay captain, who then alerted the police for the retrieval of the body.

Gaspili added that initial findings suggest the victim may have slipped and fallen into the irrigation canal.

“Adda maysa nga farmer nga inmay ditoy, linmabas ditoy, nga kaanakan ni Kapitan mismo. Isuna ti nakakita iti bangkay ket inreport na kenni Kapitan. Tapos intawag met ni Kapitan kadakami nga dagus. Nattenag siguro ditoy ket naisalat diay hose ta isu met ti naabutan mi,” the police officer said.

Prior to the discovery, according to the victim’s daughter, the 80-year-old left her residence in San Isidro on April 5.

She reportedly went to Peñarrubia and later stayed in Pidigan. However, she was no longer there by around 2:00 p.m., prompting the family to search for her.

Marina, the daughter, expressed grief, saying that instead of preparing for her mother’s birthday, they are now faced with an unexpected loss.

“Birthday na ta, ma’am, tapos kasta metten ti napasamak en. Nakadanu met idiay Abra, Pidigan. Nangnangan pay kanu idiay, ma’am. Alas dos kanu ket awan metten kanu idiay naglibas kanu nga pinmanaw. Isu ditoy nagbirbirukan kami,” Marina added in a separate interview.

As of this writing, police investigators continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.