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28 March 2024

Tragedy and hope in Dubai for slain Filipina Lorna's family on first death anniversary

Lorna's family (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Sneha May Francis

It has been a year since 51-year-old Filipina businesswoman Lorna Lim Varona was brutally murdered by an alleged ‘close friend’.

To mark her first death anniversary, her family and close friends gathered for a special memorial service at the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha on Saturday.

“It’s really sad. I miss her a lot,” confessed her youngest daughter Maria Liza. “I’m trying to do whatever it takes to ensure her sacrifices don’t go waste.

“She has been through a lot to give us a good life.”

She and her elder sister Maria Lourdes Varona have stepped in to run the businesses that their mother had successfully set up in Dubai.

Lorna had started off with the Capricorn Bakery, which she later sold in 2004. She went on to set up a trading company - Seaworld Tourism, a typing centre and Capricorn Star technical services. The family has since sold two of the companies earlier this year.

Although Liza is still pained by her mom’s loss, she claimed that she overcomes the grief by reminiscing about the “good times together”.

Even her father Pablo has slowly picked up the pieces and moved on. “I think he’s OK, but he is very lonely.

“It is in Dubai that my mom and dad first met. So, this city is very memorable for them.”

Lorna had also been instrumental in helping a lot of her friends establish themselves in Dubai.

“My mother was a very kind-hearted person. Whenever someone, especially from Philippines, was in need of help, she would always step in.”

Liza added that she was overwhelmed to see so many people at her memorial service.

“People will never forget what you’ve done for them.”

She and her father have just returned from Manila where they had hosted a small memorial along with her brothers Luke and Louis, who are working there.

Dubai Police had nabbed the murderer within a few days of the crime, and the case is now being heard at the Dubai courts.

“The next hearing is on September 23,” confirmed 24-year-old Liza.

Lorna was killed last August. Her body was discovered in the boot of her abandoned Jaguar, a week after her family reported her missing.

The suspect RA, who is currently under trial, is a close friend of the family.

He has since confessed to committing the crime over his reluctance to repay borrowed money.

The court heard that he reportedly invited Lorna home on the pretext of a new business deal, but allegedly stabbed and pushed her off the window of a flat.

When he discovered that she was still alive, he allegedly stabbed her again in the neck, and dumped her body in her car’s boot. He then drove to have lunch with his wife.

After which, he abandoned the car in a remote area in Sharjah’s industrial area.

Lorna is survived by her husband, and four children – Lourdes, Luke, Louis and Liza.