Dubai: The husband of the Filipina whose headless body was found in Dubai in May flew home on Thursday night with a heavy heart because his wife’s remains could not be repatriated yet.

Salvio De Lima, husband of Maria Normita De Lima who was murdered and decapitated before being dumped in Al Warqa in May, flew home on Thursday after waiting for more than a week for his wife’s remains to be released.

De Lima arrived in Dubai on October 31 planning to take his wife’s body along upon his return. He received assistance from the Philippine government and was informed that the body could already be released. Upon his arrival, officials from the consulate-general assisted De Lima in getting the necessary paperwork done.

The process got stalled, however, when officials learned that the case had to be transferred to Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution.

Normita, 46, was allegedly killed by her nephew, G.S., who has since been taken into police custody, following a dispute over money. Although her headless and handless body was found in a deserted area in Dubai, Dubai Police said in a press conference in September that the suspect admitted to killing the suspect in Musaffah in Abu Dhabi.

Based on the UAE’s judicial procedures, the emirate where the crime took place has jurisdiction over the case. And since a case transfer between the two emirates is required, legal procedures have to be completed before a clearance could be issued for the repatriation of Normita’s body.

“I am deeply saddened by this development but I have no ill feelings towards anyone. I have nothing to say except to express my deepest gratitude to our consulate officials here who assisted me every step of the way,” an emotional De Lima said.

“We requested to view her body — that would have been enough to give me peace — but I’d been told that the remains unfortunately were ready for transfer any time and could not be opened any more,” said De Lima, who is himself a police inspector in Manila.

Consul-General Paul Raymund Cortes assured De Lima that his office will request to expedite the repatriation and will hand over the details of the case to the embassy.

De Lima said he was able to meet the suspect, his wife’s nephew, but did not disclose details.

De Lima, who has two children aged 15 and 13 in Manila, said he hopes no one would suffer the same fate as his wife did. “I appeal to all Filipinos here to stay safe.”