A 45-year-old American national was discovered lifeless inside his rented room in Cebu City on Monday morning, December 29, 2025. The grim discovery was made in Sun Valley, Barangay Calamba, prompting a police response to the scene.
Discovery and Police Response
Authorities from the Cebu City Police Office arrived at the location around 9:00 AM after receiving a report from a concerned citizen. Upon entering the room, they found the body of Charles David Doyel, a native of Las Vegas, USA, lying on his bed with no signs of life.
Initial investigations revealed that Doyel had been working as a home-based call center agent. He had been renting the room for nearly two years. Police noted that the American national had a pre-existing medical condition and was also known to frequently consume alcoholic beverages.
Timeline and Condition of the Body
Investigators estimate that Doyel had been dead for approximately two to three days before his body was found. This was based on the advanced state of decomposition and the noticeable odor emanating from the room.
The scene showed no immediate signs of foul play or forced entry, leading police to treat the case as a sudden death pending further investigation. The body was immediately removed from the premises and transported to a local funeral home.
Ongoing Investigation and Family Coordination
As of now, the primary focus for the police is to formally notify Doyel's next of kin. Authorities are coordinating with the American's family, who reside outside the Philippines, to facilitate the necessary procedures and the eventual repatriation of his remains.
The case highlights the challenges faced by foreign nationals living alone abroad. While the investigation continues, the local barangay officials have been informed of the incident. A final cause of death will be determined following a standard autopsy and a review of the victim's medical history.
