Former singer Didith Reyes found dead

MANILA, Philippines – Former singer Didith Reyes (Helen Sta. Maria in real life) was found dead early Wednesday morning, three days after she claimed that she was sideswiped by a vehicle prompting a police investigation into her death. In an interview over dzBB, PNP Region 4-A head Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla said he has directed the police in Laguna to probe the circumstances surrounding Reyes’ death to ascertain the cause. "Kaninang 5 a.m. natagpuan siyang patay, ni-report sa barangay captain (She was found dead at 5 a.m., and residents reported it to village officials)," Padilla said. “I directed already the provincial director and the provincial police…to determine the cause ng kanyang pagkamatay (I already directed the provincial police and its director to determine the cause of her death)," he added. Citing initial reports reaching him, he said Reyes went to the house of a friend, Girlie Antolin, three days earlier in Sto. Domingo village in Biñan, Laguna. Padilla said Reyes at the time had bruises in the body, and claimed she had been sideswiped. But at the time she said the injuries were not serious. He said Reyes allegedly weakened Tuesday night and was found dead before dawn Wednesday. Reyes is known for her song “Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi." Her contemporaries include Claire dela Fuente and Imelda Papin. In a separate interview on dzBB radio, dela Fuente said Reyes had been suffering from depression. "To be called a has-been is a traumatic experience for someone who used to be hailed as a diva," dela Fuente said in Filipino. "We wanted to help her (but) she was so restless and then umiinom and she was drinking," dela Fuente said, referring to efforts to revive Reyes' career. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV