Tyron Perez has sustained a gunshot wound on his right temple which is the cause of his death as confirmed by the Valenzuela Police Department.
Tyron Perez, whose real name is Jojo Malonzo Perez, was found dead on Thursday night, December 29, at the back seat of a black Toyota Altis which is believed to be owned by his wife Liv Espino. The car was parked along the service road of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela since Thursday morning, 8:00 a.m.
According to Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor of Valenzuela police department, the Kapamilya actor died of a gunshot wound on the right side of his head from a caliber .22 gun which was found beside his lifeless body.
Based on the initial investigation, Perez is believed to have committed suicide but authorities still does not discount the possibility of a foul play.
In a report by ABS-CBNNews.com, Perez has been staying at the house of his friend Priscilla Salazar in Valenzuela, very near to the place of his death, because he and his wife Liv were having problems.
“Basta ang alam ko lang may problema siya pero hindi niya masyadong dini-detalye, ano siya hindi masyadong madaldal,” Salazar told ABS-CBNNews.com.
Perez’ wife Liv, on the other hand, admitted that she and Tyron were having problems a few days after she arrived in the country and added that it was just normal for any relationship but she did not expect it to end this way.
It’s interesting to note that Liv tweeted about her car that has been stolen from her last December 20:
“My car has been stolen!If u see a Black Toyota Altis 2009 Model with plate number ZSP875,pls report it to authorities right away! Thank you!”
The said car is where Tyron’s lifeless body was found.
Liv also revealed that she was talking to Perez on the cell phone before he died.
“Parang nahulog na phone. Narinig ko lang siya. Nag-struggle siya huminga. Nahulog na yung phone, hello ako ng hello wala na,” she said.
The police department will still run a ballistics exam on the gun, while the actor’s cellphone will undergo a forensics exam at Camp Crame to confirm if Perez has indeed committed suicide.
26-year-old Tyron Perez was best known for being one of the finalists of the first season of GMA-7?s reality based artista search “StarStruck.” He is now the second StarStruck alumnus who died in the month of December after Marky Cielo.
Six months after his manager’s death (Douglas Quijano), Tyron transferred to ABS-CBN.
He appeared in the now defunct ABS-CBN drama series “Momay,” “Imortal” and “Mula sa Puso.”
Perez’ last TV appearance was the December 3 episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” where he played the love interest of Ejay Falcon’s character.
Star Magic has released an official statement over the death of Perez:
“Our deepest condolences to the family of Tyron. Let’s pray for the eternal repose of his soul.”