AT a press conference on Monday, Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Adrian Pangelinan identified 77-year-old Rosa Mendiola Sablan as the victim in the homicide investigation in San Antonio.
“We apologize for holding off; it’s been a difficult time for the family. With what has transpired in the village of San Antonio, we want to ask the community for their help in anything they think might assist with the case right now,” Pangelinan added.
The victim, Sablan, was found dead inside her home on Tataga Street in San Antonio on Saturday afternoon.
She was a regular volunteer at San Antonio Church and a former special education teacher at William S. Reyes Elementary School.
Investigators noted signs of foul play and were seen on Sunday speaking with and interviewing neighbors of the deceased.
In an official statement issued Sunday afternoon, DPS said that at approximately 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, officers responded to a residence in San Antonio following a call for assistance.
“Upon arrival, they discovered an elderly woman who had passed away,” DPS stated. “Family members reported that they last spoke with her a few days ago. Earlier that day [July 26], they checked in on her but believed she was still resting, so they planned to return later. When they returned to check on her again, they found her unresponsive and immediately contacted the authorities,” DPS stated.
The victim was transported to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, where she was pronounced dead at 7:25 p.m.
According to DPS, the police are actively investigating the incident as a homicide and are reaching out to the public for assistance.
Anyone with information — no matter how minor it may seem — is encouraged to contact the DPS Criminal Investigation Division at (670) 664-9042. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the CNMI Crime Stoppers hotline at (670) 234-7272 (PARA).
