The collective grief of a nation was painfully focused on the simple, provincial life of the Divina Gracia family in Camarines Sur, following a terrifying sequence of events that resulted in the catastrophic loss of two sisters. This double tragedy, which unfolded swiftly and with unimaginable emotional intensity, has since captivated and horrified the public, quickly going viral across social media platforms for the senselessness and brutality of the actions. The lives of Claudette Jane, 27, and her younger sister, Kiela May, 21, were tragically intertwined not only by blood but by their shared proximity to a relationship consumed by secrets and mounting tension, culminating in an outcome no one could have predicted.

Claudette and Kiela, along with six other siblings, grew up in a humble, ordinary home, raised by parents who instilled in them a strong sense of discipline and faith, despite the financial hardships of rural life. Their bond was visibly close, and their shared dreams offered a beacon of hope for their family. Claudette, the elder sister, had established a small family unit with her long-term partner, Marfe Hufania, a former IT technician. Their relationship, which began nine years prior when Claudette was a teenager and Marfe was 26, quickly blossomed, leading to the birth of two children, now aged eight and five. Marfe, described as handsome and fair-skinned, was initially supportive, demonstrating dedication to Claudette and making promises for a bright future. The couple even became engaged, symbolized by a ring that foreshadowed a commitment that would be tested to its limits.

Their small family unit moved into a rented house in Naga City, where they spent eight years together. Initially, Marfe was the provider while Claudette stayed home to care for their young children. However, the dynamics shifted in recent years when Marfe ceased his employment. Claudette took on the role of breadwinner, working at a retail store in SM Naga City, where colleagues described her as cheerful, dedicated, and always smiling. Marfe assumed care for the children, routinely driving Claudette to and from work, leaving the children temporarily with his parents. The family appeared to be navigating the typical challenges of a working-class life, but beneath the surface of their routine, two devastating secrets were festering, secrets that would ultimately shatter their peace.

The first crack in the foundation of their relationship came with a shocking discovery that left Claudette deeply wounded and betrayed. After the birth of their youngest child, Claudette learned that Marfe had a prior undisclosed marital commitment and had three teenage children from that union, all under the care of his parents. The revelation that Marfe had concealed such a critical, life-altering fact devastated Claudette. Despite her enduring love for him, she became resolute in her desire to separate, fueled by anger and a sense of having been misled. Her mother, Aling Erlinda, often overheard Claudette in tears, voicing her pain to Marfe and declaring, “You ruined my life and my dreams! I didn’t know you had a family, that you were committed and had three children!” Aling Erlinda urged her daughter to leave the relationship, concerned that Claudette might face legal consequences due to Marfe’s existing marital status. However, Claudette, softened by Marfe’s pleas and worried about her young children growing up without their father present, repeatedly hesitated, allowing him to win her back each time.

The second, and ultimately final, source of tension involved Kiela, the younger sister. Kiela, a dedicated college student pursuing a degree in Agricultural Extension, had moved into the couple’s rented home to be closer to her university. She was months away from achieving her graduation dreams, living a quiet life focused on her studies. Tragically, it was Kiela’s proximity that brought the final, fatal wedge to the relationship. Information later surfaced alleging that Marfe had engaged in physical misconduct or disturbing behavior toward Kiela while they were alone in the house. This discovery, when it reached Claudette, became the absolute breaking point. It was an unacceptable, unforgivable betrayal that transcended their personal issues. A cousin later recounted that Claudette confided in her, admitting that she simply could not bear the situation any longer and was finally determined to end the relationship with Marfe immediately. The combination of Marfe’s hidden marital commitment and the allegations concerning Kiela created a weight of pain and anger that Claudette could no longer carry.

The events that followed unfolded with terrifying speed, beginning on the morning of December 6. In a move that authorities would later view as evidence of preparation, Marfe took the couple’s two young children and dropped them off at his parents’ house. Kiela, who did not have classes that day, remained at the house, where she exchanged a text message with her boyfriend around 12:30 PM, confirming she was alone with Marfe. Police investigators believe that the senseless act of violence involving Kiela may have occurred between the time of this message and the early evening. After the incident, the perpetrator allegedly wrapped Kiela’s human remains in a white blanket, secured them with electrical tape, and left them concealed inside the house.

Later that evening, Marfe picked up Claudette from her work at the retail store. The events that occurred after they left the commercial area led to the chilling public revelation of the tragedy. Early the following morning, a resident near a subdivision fence discovered the remains of a woman lying in a grassy area. The remains were later identified as Claudette. She had suffered grievous injuries, including severe lacerations to her neck and shoulder area, and her right arm had been traumatically separated from her body. Investigators recovered a cleaver-style knife—typically used for cutting meat—with traces of blood, believed to be the weapon used in the senseless act of violence. Authorities theorized that Claudette may have attempted to use her arm to shield herself from the frenzied attack.

The mystery deepened when, upon investigating Claudette’s residence, police discovered the remains of Kiela, concealed inside the house, wrapped in cloth and secured with electrical tape. Kiela had suffered multiple deep injuries, particularly in the chest area, and signs of a struggle were evident within the home. A stainless kitchen knife was recovered near her remains. The discovery of both sisters’ remains in quick succession—Kiela inside the residence and Claudette in a distant location—led police to immediately focus their attention on Marfe, who had vanished and was nowhere to be found.

As the manhunt intensified, investigators recovered crucial audio evidence from a nearby residential CCTV camera. The recording, although lacking a visual of the act itself due to the intervening wall, captured the horrifying sounds of the final struggle. For nearly thirty seconds, a woman’s frantic, escalating screams were recorded, clearly heard by nearby residents. Most chillingly, the woman, later identified as Claudette, could be heard repeatedly shouting Marfe’s name, suggesting he was the person involved in the struggle. After the agonizing screams, an abrupt silence descended on the area, leading directly to the morning discovery of her remains nearby.

The case took another dramatic turn when an alleged chat message from Marfe to his sister surfaced via his father, who had publicly shared the communication. In the message, Marfe allegedly admitted that he was responsible for the tragic loss of life of both Claudette and Kiela. He cited profound “depression, anxiety, and stress” as the underlying causes, claiming he acted out of a desperate fear that Claudette was leaving him forever. He posted a cryptic “It’s Over” message on his social media account and left a final, emotional message to his family, suggesting his own imminent demise after they read his communication. His father and siblings publicly expressed their deep remorse and shame, offering unconditional support to the victims’ grieving mother, Aling Erlinda, and pledging to cooperate fully with authorities to ensure Marfe faced legal consequences.

A few days later, a further discovery added a layer of haunting ambiguity to the case. Human remains were found washed ashore at a beach in Cabusao, Camarines Sur. The remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, making visual identification challenging. Marfe’s father, upon examining the clothing and personal items, identified the remains as his son, citing the distinctive garments, the engagement ring identical to the one given to Claudette, and certain dental features. However, the Divina Gracia family, particularly Aling Erlinda, and a significant portion of the public refused to accept this identification. They voiced widespread skepticism, suspecting that this might be an elaborate attempt by the perpetrator to fake his own demise and evade legal consequences for the catastrophic acts committed.

In response to the competing claims and the profound public uncertainty, authorities quickly ordered a DNA examination and comparison to conclusively identify the remains. Until the results of the DNA testing are released, the final chapter of this devastating tragedy remains unwritten. The immense sorrow, the shattered dreams of the graduating Kiela, and the emotional trauma of Aling Erlinda, who lost two daughters in a senseless act of violence rooted in betrayal, weigh heavily on the community. Most heartbreakingly, the two young children are left behind, now without both their mother and the man who was their father, their young lives forever marked by a tragedy that has shattered three families and remains agonizingly unresolved.