Update on the disappearance of Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend
GENEVA LOPEZ UPDATE – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified several individuals as persons of interest (POI) in connection with the disappearance of the beauty pageant contestant from Pampanga and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitshak Cohen.
In a press conference on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Colonel Jean Fajardo, chief of the PNP Public Information Office (PIO), stated that a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been formed to focus on the case.
Fajardo has not yet disclosed the identities of the POIs or their number to avoid compromising the investigation. Lopez and Cohen were last seen on June 21 before they went to Barangay Armenia in Tarlac City to inspect a property they were planning to purchase.
According to Fajardo, investigators recovered a vehicle believed to have been used by the couple’s companions, including a former police officer who acted as a middleman.
She said they are identifying the current owner of the vehicle, and according to the original owner listed in the registration, the car had been sold. The local police previously found the vehicle used by the couple, but it had been burned. They also recovered gadgets and other personal belongings inside the burned vehicle. The police believe these items belonged to the candidate of Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024.
Meanwhile, Geneva Lopez, a 27-year-old model and well-known beauty queen, was reported missing along with her boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, a 37-year-old Israeli national, since Friday, June 21, 2024. According to friends and family, the couple was last seen in Tarlac Province, north of Manila. Many have been concerned about this news, especially since the case of another missing beauty queen, Catherine Camilon, remains unresolved. The complaint against the alleged suspect in her disappearance was dismissed due to lack of sufficient evidence. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured that they would appeal this decision.