Espinola conducted a forensics examination on the human skeletal remains on Friday.
Acting Department of Public Safety spokesman Jason T. Tarkong said Espinola noted several characteristics confirming that the skeletal remains were Matubis’.
“This information was based on dental records and certain bones that matched the age, height and gender of the victim,” Tarkong said.
Espinola classified the cause of death as asphyxiation due to hanging.
“Matubis’s death has been reclassified as suicide, based on the evidence gathered at the scene, interviews, and the results of the forensic examination,” Tarkong said.
Matubis, 47, has been reported missing since July 30 last year.
On Aug. 19, 2008, police recovered the blue Toyota pickup he drove abandoned near Kalabera Cave.
At about 11 a.m., on Jan. 24, a farmer found a pair of boots and a backpack in the jungle area in Marpi which led to the discovery of the skeletal remains.
Matubis was employed as a draftsman by Castro & Associates for 22 years.
On July 28 last year, he went to Tinian to work on a project.
He returned to Saipan the following day and remitted a big amount of money to his wife in the Philippines.
He did not return to his barracks, which prompted his employer to report his disappearance to the police.
