PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — A brother and sister who had been missing for more than two weeks were found dead inside a deep pit in a mountainous area of Barangay San Lorenzo, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, on October 30, 2026, prompting an ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The victims were identified as Jose Lamadora, 45, and his elder sister, Maria Lamadora, 49, both residents of Barangay San Lorenzo. Authorities have yet to establish the cause of their deaths, and investigators have not disclosed whether foul play is suspected.
Based on information shared by their relatives, the siblings were last reportedly seen on October 14. Their prolonged absence raised concern among family members, particularly after they failed to return to their usual residence and missed an expected visit to a relative.
A relative had earlier appealed for public assistance through a social media post, saying the family had been unable to establish the siblings’ whereabouts despite efforts to locate them.
According to the account, their aunt had expected the two to come down from their mountain residence around October 20, but they never arrived. When the family’s relative went to check their small dwelling in the mountainous area, nobody was there. The food left behind had reportedly spoiled, while their laundry remained untouched.
The family also raised concerns over the siblings’ unexplained absence, noting that some of their personal belongings were reportedly left behind at their aunt’s house. Their motorcycle was also reportedly missing, adding to the uncertainty surrounding their disappearance.
Relatives initially feared that the siblings might have traveled elsewhere, possibly to Zamboanga, but inquiries made with their younger sibling there reportedly indicated that they had not arrived. The family had also said their planned visit to Zamboanga was supposed to take place in December.
Their disappearance eventually ended in tragedy when relatives searching for them discovered their bodies inside a deep pit in the mountainous portion of Barangay San Lorenzo on October 30.
Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Agusan del Sur, through two responding teams from the San Francisco and Bayugan City fire stations, assisted the Bayugan City Police in retrieving the two bodies from the deep pit.
The recovery operation required specialized assistance because of the depth and location of the pit.
As of the latest available information, police have yet to determine what led to the siblings’ deaths. The circumstances before their disappearance, the reason they ended up inside the pit, and whether another person or persons were involved remain matters for investigation.
The case has left relatives seeking answers after their efforts to locate the siblings ended with the discovery of their bodies. Authorities are expected to establish the cause and manner of death through the appropriate investigative and forensic procedures.
Police have not yet released further details on the investigation.