Summary
Highlights
The video opens with the shocking discovery of a woman's severed head and other dismembered body parts on a roadside in Laguna, Philippines. The victim was identified as Elsa Castillo, and her American lover, Stephen Mark Whisenhunt, was quickly suspected.
Elsa Castillo, an assistant personnel manager, began an affair with her American boss, Stephen Mark Whisenhunt. Both were married but estranged from their spouses. To quell office gossip, Elsa resigned but continued the relationship. On September 23, 1993, Elsa was picked up by Stephen's driver, Rio, and taken to Stephen's condo. She was not seen alive by Rio again after that day.
After several days of mysterious events and Stephen’s unusual behavior, Stephen confessed to his driver, Rio, that Elsa was dead. Initially claiming she died in her sleep, Stephen then admitted to having decapitated her. He then asked Rio if he wanted to see her and later instructed Rio to help dispose of the body.
Rio drove Stephen to a mall where Stephen bought a large roller bag. Back at the condo, Rio found Elsa's dismembered body parts in the bathroom. They wrapped the body parts in garbage bags, loaded them into the car trunk, and dumped them by the roadside in Laguna. They then drove to Stephen's rest house in Bataan, disposing of Elsa's clothes and personal items along the way.
Upon returning home, a restless Rio confessed everything to his wife, who urged him to seek help from a prosecutor. On September 27, 1993, Rio and his wife went to the Department of Justice and were referred to the NBI. Rio's detailed account led NBI agents to the location where Elsa's remains were found.
On September 28, 1993, Stephen was arrested. NBI agents noted bruises on him and impounded his car. When Stephen opened the trunk to retrieve belongings, a foul odor emanated, and blood traces were found, later confirmed to be Elsa's. A subsequent raid on Stephen's condo revealed more bloodstains consistent with Elsa's blood type.
Stephen denied killing Elsa and claimed Rio was lying, offering an alibi and explaining his injuries as a result of a jet-skiing accident. He even presented anonymous letters he claimed Elsa's husband sent, threatening him. However, the court found Rio's testimony more credible, corroborated by the physical evidence. In January 1996, Stephen Whisenhunt was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, along with significant damages to Elsa's family.
After more than 19 years in prison, Stephen was released in 2012 for good behavior under the 'Good Conduct Allowance' and was subsequently deported to the USA, banned from returning to the Philippines. The case, featuring a 'Chop-Chop Lady' and the American lover, remains a shocking story in the Philippines, with speculation about Stephen's true motive.