The remains of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) former undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral tested positive for an antidepressant medication, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday. SOURCE: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news ...

Mental Health, Public Pressure, and the Tragic End of Cathy Cabral: A Thorough Examination of the Circumstances Behind Her D34th

Published: December 26, 2025

Introduction

The sudden and tragic incident involving former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral sent shockwaves across the Philippines in mid‑December 2025. Cabral was found unconscious and unresponsive in a ravine along Kennon Road in Benguet late on December 18, and authorities later confirmed her d34th after an alleged fall from a height.

What followed was an immediate outpouring of public attention — not only because of Cabral’s prominence as a long‑serving official credited with advancing major infrastructure initiatives, but also because her passing occurred against the backdrop of high‑profile government investigations into alleged “anomalous” flood control projects involving billions in public funds. Amid this scrutiny, experts weighing in on her case — including mental health professionals — pointed to potentially serious struggles with insomnia and depression in the period leading up to her final days.

This comprehensive feature explores the known timeline of events, the medical and investigative findings, mental health indicators, reactions from officials and family, and the broader implications of Cabral’s passing.

Trigger warning: This article discusses d34th, suicide, and mental health issues.

1. The Discovery Along Kennon Road

On December 18, 2025, Maria Catalina Cabral was reported missing after asking her driver to let her out at a segment of Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, en route from Baguio to La Union. According to police accounts, she was left near a mountainside area around 3:00 p.m. and had not been found when the driver returned later in the afternoon. That evening, law enforcement located her below the road — approximately 20 to 30 meters down a slope beside the Bued River, unconscious and unresponsive.

Authorities pronounced her d34th at the scene shortly after midnight on December 19. The initial response categorized the incident as an “alleged fall”, pending further forensic evaluation.

2. The Official Autopsy: Blunt Traumatic Injuries

Subsequent medico‑legal examination by the Philippine National Police (PNP) forensic team documented extensive injuries consistent with a fall from a significant height. According to the autopsy report, Cabral suffered:

Blunt traumatic injuries to the head, torso, and extremities
Multiple abrasions, contusions, and fractures
Subdural hemorrhaging and skull trauma
Fractures to limbs consistent with impact after descent

The report concluded that the cause of d34th was blunt traumatic injuries due to a fall from height.

3. Mental Health Context: Antidepressants and Insomnia

In a preliminary toxicology report conducted by the PNP, Cabral tested positive for citalopram, an antidepressant medication commonly prescribed for depression and related mood disorders. Authorities detected the substance in both urine and vitreous samples, indicating recent use.

This finding aligns with commentary from mental health professionals suggesting Cabral may have been contending with severe insomnia and depressive symptoms prior to her d34th — conditions that frequently co‑occur. The presence of antidepressants in her system does not confirm diagnosis, but it suggests ongoing treatment related to mood or anxiety concerns, which can be exacerbated by chronic sleep disruption and extended stress.

While there has been no detailed public disclosure of her clinical history, such medications are typically used as part of a broader therapeutic regimen for individuals experiencing persistent depression. Chronic insomnia — especially when linked with anxiety and public pressure — often contributes to emotional exhaustion and can compound depressive symptoms.

4. Cabral’s Role in Ongoing Flood Control Investigations

At the time of her passing, Cabral had resigned from her post at DPWH amid intense scrutiny over alleged irregularities in flood control project allocations and related budget insertions. These probes — driven by legislative committees, independent commissions, and media attention — centered around claims of mismanaged infrastructure projects and potential kickbacks tied to multibillion‑peso appropriations.

In late 2025, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, implicating a network of officials — including Cabral — in purported financial distributions connected to the anomalous projects. Cabral was reportedly slated to provide information to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on these matters, raising speculation about her possible role as a key witness in high‑stakes investigations.

While allegations linked to public spending inevitably attract broad public commentary, there is no confirmation that any criminal conviction had been rendered against Cabral prior to her passing.

5. Eyewitness and Timeline Reconstruction

The sequence of events as reported reveals a picture of independence shortly before her disappearance:

Around 3:00 p.m., Cabral asked her driver to stop along Kennon Road and requested to be left there.
The driver returned to find her absence approximately two hours later.
Law enforcement located her body near a ravine later that evening.

Investigators noted Cabral had left behind personal items, including her bag and cellphone at the roadside, and that there were no obvious signs of struggle at the vehicle. These details contributed to initial investigative impressions.

Acting PNP Chief P/Lt. Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. cautioned that while some evidence suggests the possibility of suicide, the investigation remained ongoing, with no definitive conclusion at that time.

6. Authorities’ Statements and Investigative Steps

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that forensic evidence, including the nature of injuries and the scene, indicated a deliberate act rather than an accident, pointing to potential suicide. Authorities also examined her electronic devices and communications to determine whether external pressures or interactions may have influenced her mental state.

PNP investigators continued to analyze all aspects of the scene, including environmental factors along Kennon Road, eyewitness accounts, and vehicle details. The police emphasized ongoing investigative work to ensure comprehensive understanding before concluding the case.

7. Family Response and Public Reaction

Cabral’s family appealed for privacy and compassion, noting the difficulty of coping with the d34th of a loved one under sensitive and highly publicized circumstances.

Public responses varied widely. Social media reflected a mixture of empathy for mental health struggles, demands for transparency regarding the flood control projects, and polarized debates on accountability. Mental health experts urged the public to separate personal tragedy from public controversy, emphasizing that speculation could further harm those affected.

8. Expert Input: Insomnia, Depression, and Psychological Burden

Mental health specialists highlighted that chronic insomnia and depression often coexist, forming a feedback loop where sleep disturbances exacerbate mood disorders and vice versa. For individuals in high-stress positions, such as senior government officials facing public scrutiny, the combination can significantly impair judgment, emotional regulation, and resilience.

Citalopram, as an antidepressant, can help manage depressive symptoms, but experts stress that medication alone is often insufficient without comprehensive mental health support, counseling, and a supportive environment. In Cabral’s case, these factors underscore the importance of recognizing the psychological toll of high-pressure roles.

9. Media, Public Pressure, and the Weight of Scrutiny

Cabral’s high-profile work and the ongoing investigations created intense media and public scrutiny, amplifying the pressures inherent in government service. Experts in occupational psychology note that exposure to continuous evaluation, criticism, and social judgment can heighten stress, trigger anxiety, and worsen insomnia, particularly in individuals already vulnerable to depressive symptoms.

Balanced reporting, empathy, and privacy are crucial when covering such sensitive stories, both for the integrity of journalism and for mental health awareness.

10. Concluding Reflections: Privacy, Compassion, and Accountability

The tragic d34th of Cathy Cabral highlights the complex interplay between public service, mental health, and societal scrutiny. While investigations continue to clarify the circumstances of her fall, the combination of forensic evidence, toxicology findings, and expert opinion points to a multifactorial context involving stress, insomnia, and depression.

Cabral’s case is a reminder that public officials are human, subject to emotional and psychological strain, and that understanding mental health is essential in preventing further tragedies. Compassion, responsible media coverage, and a clear distinction between fact and speculation remain critical as the nation reflects on this event.