Overview:
Family members of 60+year-old Matthew Omengebar of Ngarchelong are calling for answers after he was found by the roadside with severe burns to his feet last month. Police say the victim reported accidentally spilling hot water, but relatives believe more should be done to determine what really happened.
By: L.N. Reklai | Koror, Palau — November 11, 2025
“I am so sad that no investigation has taken place to find out what happened to my brother,” said a grieving sibling of 60+year-old Matthew Omengebar of Ngarchelong, who was found by the roadside last month with third-degree burns on both feet and no memory of how he was injured.
Family members say they are deeply concerned that no updates or findings have been shared by police since Omengebar was discovered on October 10, leaving them uncertain whether an investigation is underway.
Omengebar, described by relatives as weak, frail, and forgetful, had previously gone missing in 2020 for several days before returning home with no recollection of where he had been. According to family members, the extent of his current injuries — with burns so severe that bones were nearly exposed — led doctors to suggest the possibility that an accelerant such as gasoline may have been involved.
He is scheduled to be flown to the Philippines for advanced medical treatment, where doctors may need to amputate several toes due to the severity of the burns. His sisters, who live overseas, will take turns caring for him during his medical treatment in the Philippines.
Police said they interviewed Omengebar, who told investigators that he accidentally spilled hot water on his feet while trying to stand up.
“He is frail with poor mobility, and he said he reached out to hold on to something and accidentally pulled hot water on his feet,” said the lead investigator from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Bureau of Public Safety.
Officers also spoke with people living near Omengebar’s home, but found no witnesses or evidence that contradicts or confirms his account. Police said Omengebar appeared mentally clear when giving his statement and that, based on available information, there is little more they can do at this time.
Omengebar lives alone in Ngarchelong but has relatives in Koror who visit weekly to bring food and clean his home. His siblings, all residing abroad, coordinate his care through local family members.
Still, his relatives say they remain troubled by the lack of answers.
“He may be forgetful, but he is a gentle man who would never hurt anyone,” said his sister in Guam. “For him to suffer like this really hurts us.”
While police maintain that the case remains open, they urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“We are not abandoning the case,” the investigator said. “We continue to seek information and welcome any leads from the community.”
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