Fil-Am's murder mystery solved more than 20 years later | ABS-CBN
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Fil-Am's murder mystery solved more than 20 years later
Jon Cana,
ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
Published Oct 20, 2016 03:53 PM PHT

BERKELEY, California - For more than two decades, a community has reunited to remember the late Grace Asuncion.
BERKELEY, California - For more than two decades, a community has reunited to remember the late Grace Asuncion.
In 1992, the Filipina from Agoura Hills, California was in her 3rd year at UC Berkeley when she was stabbed to death on campus. With no suspect in sight, the case shook her family, friends, and an entire university.
In 1992, the Filipina from Agoura Hills, California was in her 3rd year at UC Berkeley when she was stabbed to death on campus. With no suspect in sight, the case shook her family, friends, and an entire university.
"There was a lot of fear in the community wondering if it was someone in the community who did it, or if it was someone outside the community. If it was a hate crime toward the Filipino community or toward women," said Asuncion's roommate, Charity Nicolas.
"There was a lot of fear in the community wondering if it was someone in the community who did it, or if it was someone outside the community. If it was a hate crime toward the Filipino community or toward women," said Asuncion's roommate, Charity Nicolas.
But this year is different. Police said that recent interviews helped them identify Asuncion's killer, John Iwed, from nearby Alameda.
But this year is different. Police said that recent interviews helped them identify Asuncion's killer, John Iwed, from nearby Alameda.
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They said new information corroborated a confession Iwed made to his family more than 20 years ago.
They said new information corroborated a confession Iwed made to his family more than 20 years ago.
According to the investigation, Iwed, was under the influence of drugs when he entered Eshleman Hall, attacked Asuncion, and killed her.
According to the investigation, Iwed, was under the influence of drugs when he entered Eshleman Hall, attacked Asuncion, and killed her.
A year later, Iwed died of a drug overdose.
A year later, Iwed died of a drug overdose.
Till this day, police have not identified a motive.
Till this day, police have not identified a motive.
"The suspect, who was a suspect more than 20 years ago when this first occurred, but this wasn't enough to piece it all together. With the new information, we were confident that we could close the books," said Sgt. Andrew Tucker of the UC Berkeley Police Department.
"The suspect, who was a suspect more than 20 years ago when this first occurred, but this wasn't enough to piece it all together. With the new information, we were confident that we could close the books," said Sgt. Andrew Tucker of the UC Berkeley Police Department.
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Asuncion's brother John added, "No matter what happened, my sister's still gone, but the lingering doubts, the lingering questions on what really happened, that's gone now."
Asuncion's brother John added, "No matter what happened, my sister's still gone, but the lingering doubts, the lingering questions on what really happened, that's gone now."
Asuncion's passing prompted the Pilipino American Alliance- her student group - to address campus security.
Asuncion's passing prompted the Pilipino American Alliance- her student group - to address campus security.
But it is her legacy as a leader that compels students to commemorate her till this day, organizing an annual memorial and scholarship under her name.
But it is her legacy as a leader that compels students to commemorate her till this day, organizing an annual memorial and scholarship under her name.
"When I hear about her work ethic, I feel inspired to do the same as she did--to also influence others in a positive way and to help the Filipino American community," said Katrina Uy.
"When I hear about her work ethic, I feel inspired to do the same as she did--to also influence others in a positive way and to help the Filipino American community," said Katrina Uy.
Charges were never pressed against Asuncion's murderer but the community has found justice through other means---by ensuring her legacy is never forgotten.
Charges were never pressed against Asuncion's murderer but the community has found justice through other means---by ensuring her legacy is never forgotten.
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Read more on Balitang America.
Read more on Balitang America.
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