Dubai Filipina Lorna's family wants justice

Just two days after Emirates24|7 first broke the news that Filipina businesswoman Lorna Lim Varona was murdered by her close friend over borrowed money, her family in the US has expressed their shock at the incident.

“We are all devastated by the awful news of my aunt’s murder,” wrote her niece Julie Jim Jacobe, who had first contacted the website to report about her missing aunt.

“We were searching, praying, and hoping for almost a week, but she was found brutally murdered on the day she went missing (August 26) by a family friend no less.”

Julie Jim recalled how her aunt had only recently visited her in California last July. “Even my cousin Alots (Lorna’s older daughter Maria) was here in May.

“Although we are located in different parts of the world, we are a tight-knit family.”

Julie described how Lorna comes from a large family of seven siblings (three sisters and four brothers).

“My cousin and her family are intent on seeking justice for their mother's death.”

The family has set up a small alter in their house to pay tribute to Lorna, but a formal prayer service is yet to finalised. "This is mainly for the family, so that we can remember her," explained Lorna's youngest daughter Liza.

Once they get the go-ahead from the authorities, they will head to Philippines for Lorna's funeral. "There are still some formalities and it could take some time," she added.

Fifty-one-year-old Lorna was found dead in her abandoned Jaguar in Sharjah. A close Filipino friend of hers was arrested and has confessed to the crime. 'Emirates24|7' cannot reveal his identity due to the ongoing investigation.

It is reported that the man, in his 50s, had promised to pay back the amount he had borrowed from Lorna, but instead killed her.

Her family had reported her missing on August 26, when she didn’t return home or respond to any of their calls. “It is unlike my mother not to return any calls. That’s what triggered a panic button,” informed 24-year-old Liza.

Recalling the last time she saw her mother, Lisa said she noticed a glow on her mother’s face. “She was in a good mood that morning. She was very happy. I saw my mom’s face glowing.”

Lorna was a successful businesswoman and has numerous projects set up in Dubai. It was her kind-hearted and helpful nature that could have lead her to her death, believe her family.

Lorna is survived by her husband Pablo, and her children Alots, Luke, Joseph and Liza.

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