A retired British teacher who started a new life as an organic farmer in the Philippines has been murdered at his dream home.

Brian Bridge, 69, suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack as his terrified wife jumped from an upstairs window to escape.

His grieving family, from Kingsley, Hampshire, are mystified over the motive.

However, local reports say police are investigating a ‘possible conflict in relation to the couple’s business’.

Mr Bridge built his three-storey seaside home himself. It stands on stilts at Sitio Dacutan in San Rafael, where he and second wife Estrillita, 59, a Filipina nurse, pursued a self-sufficient lifestyle.

His ex-wife, Jane Williams, said their three children were working with Estrillita’s three children to liaise with police in the UK and the Philippines. ‘You wonder about the motivation for such a vicious act,’ said Mrs Williams.

‘You inevitably think there’s more to it and this is what we want to know. Brian had a life-long interest in self-sufficiency. His death is shocking but we are trying to be positive about it.

‘He’d fulfilled his dream and did a tremendous amount for local people. I can see there will be a lot of political issues because this could ruin things in terms of the tourist trade on the Philippines.’



Read more: Retired British teacher Brian Bridge stabbed to death in Philippines | Daily Mail Online
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