Ex-Boyfriend Arrested in Case of Missing Filipina Mother in Virginia
The ex-boyfriend of Bellamy Malaki Gamboa, a Filipina-American mother who went missing earlier this month, has confessed to her murder.
Lamont Johnson, 41, told police that he pushed the mother of four down the stairs, fell on top of her and proceeded to choke her to death, according to court documents.
He then put Gamboa’s body in a bag and brought her to Chesapeake, Virginia, WTKR reported. Police have yet to find her body.
The Virginia Beach Police Department arrested Johnson on Sunday with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is currently being held “at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center under a NO BOND PERMITTED status.”
The suspect was charged with second-degree murder and four counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, according to the police department.
Gamboa was last seen on July 1 around 8:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of Carrene Drive in Norfolk, Virginia. Her sister, Charisse Gamboa, said that her disappearance was suspicious.
The 39-year-old mother’s car was then found parked near a dumpster in Virginia Beach on July 3, about 4 miles away from where she was last seen.
On July 5, Virginia State Police issued a “Critically Missing Adult Alert” or “Ashanti Alert.” Friends and family of Gamboa also organized a search party and handed out fliers around the Philippine Cultural Center.
In 2017, both the Gamboa and Johnson filed emergency protective orders against each other when two violent arguments erupted in March.
Gamboa claims in a court document that Johnson pushed her onto the ground and grabbed her, while the man said that she slapped and pushed him. Their cases were dismissed by the court.
Meanwhile, Gamboa’s family released a statement online regarding the arrest of Johnson.
“A message to our family and friends, as well as members of our community:
First and foremost, on behalf of the Gamboa family, we would like to express our gratitude for everyone’s continued support and words of prayer, strength and kindness. We will continue to fight to BRING BELLAMY HOME as this has been our priority since day one.
It will not be our place to comment on anything regarding the active investigation. Gathering and guarding undisclosed details remains VBPD’s priority.
We have been receiving many questions, flooded inboxes, texts, voicemails. Please understand this is a difficult time and sensitive situation and we ask everyone to please respect the privacy of the family.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to “Bring Bellamy Home”.
“Our purpose for the funds remain the same and our mission to find Bellamy still stands. Donating will also assist in contributing to both the short and long term support of the 4 children,” Sheila Smith, Bellamy and Charisse Gamboa’s cousin, said in the statement.
Featured Image via Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (Left), Instagram / muah_mybella (Right)
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