The Orphan Killer: A True Story of Betrayal and Brutality in the Philippines






Release Date of Case: December 10, 2021

Genre: True Crime

Location: M’lang, North Cotabato, Philippines


Content Warning: This article discusses real-life violence involving minors. Reader discretion is advised.





Introduction: A Tragedy Beyond Fiction



Sometimes, truth is more terrifying than fiction. In a quiet town in the Philippines, a family’s kindness ended in unthinkable horror. What began as an act of compassion—adopting a young orphan—turned into a chilling double homicide that shocked the nation. On December 10, 2021, the Maguad family lost their two beloved children in a brutal crime that has been compared to scenes from a psychological thriller. But this was no movie. It was real.





The Victims: Crizzle and Crizzule Maguad



Crizzle Maguad, 18, and her younger brother Crizzule Louis, 16, were known in their community for their intelligence, kindness, and joyful spirits. Crizzle had big dreams and was even described as a top student. Their peaceful lives were cut short in their own home—a place that should have been their safest sanctuary.





The Crime: A Midday Massacre



Unlike most violent crimes that happen under cover of darkness, the murder occurred in broad daylight. Their father, a local high school teacher, received a shocking phone call while at work. When he arrived home, he walked into a blood-soaked scene that no parent should ever witness. Crizzle had been beaten and stabbed. Crizzule had been tied up and suffered the same fate. Broken bottles, a bloodied hammer, and a baseball bat lay nearby—gruesome reminders of the attack’s brutality.





The Unlikely Suspect: Janice, the Adopted Sister



Suspicion grew quickly. Janice, a teenage girl adopted by the Maguads just five months earlier, survived the incident. She claimed to have hidden under the bed while three unknown assailants entered the home and killed her siblings. However, her story didn’t match the forensic evidence. The scene showed no signs of forced entry, and her hiding place looked disturbed—as though someone had rifled through it, not missed it.


Even more troubling was the timeline. When the father arrived, Crizzle’s body was already stiff, but Crizzule’s wounds were still fresh. Janice had posted for help on Facebook—but answered none of the calls or messages that followed. Investigators quickly realized that something didn’t add up.





The Confession: Motive Revealed



On December 16, 2021, Janice confessed to the crime. Her reason? Jealousy and anger. According to investigators and statements from the Maguad parents, Janice resented Crizzle, the older sister who had advocated for her adoption. She reportedly wanted to take Crizzle’s place and could not tolerate sharing the spotlight or affection.


Janice admitted she had not acted alone. Her boyfriend—still at large as of the confession—was allegedly involved, along with another minor. The three plotted the attack together. The two minors, including Janice, are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.





A Life Imitating Art: The Influence of “The Orphan”



In a chilling twist, the adopted girl reportedly loved the psychological horror film The Orphan—a movie where a seemingly sweet adopted child turns out to be a murderous imposter. Mr. Maguad shared that Janice introduced the film to their family. He didn’t like it. Tragically, life seemed to mirror that disturbing narrative.





Cultural and Psychological Reflections



This case raises questions beyond the crime itself. It touches on cultural issues, such as the stigmatization of adopted children in some Filipino households. It also underscores the potential dangers of unresolved emotional trauma and mental health neglect in youth. Janice’s manipulation, hidden background (her biological parents were later discovered to be alive), and capacity for violence all point to deep psychological disturbance.


Was this tragedy preventable? Could more stringent background checks or mental health evaluations have uncovered red flags?





Justice and Grief



In the wake of the murders, Vice Governor Emmylou Mendoza expressed the region’s collective grief: “What’s really sad is that the main person responsible for the Maguad siblings’ murder is someone they adopted into their family and treated very well, like a real relative.”


For the parents, the trauma is unimaginable. They extended a hand of kindness, only to have it severed in the most violent way possible. The community continues to mourn alongside them, hoping for justice and eventual peace.





Final Thoughts: A Story the World Shouldn’t Forget



The Maguad siblings’ case is more than just another entry in the annals of true crime. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of how love can be met with betrayal, how compassion can be exploited, and how vigilance must accompany generosity.


In remembering Crizzle and Crizzule, we must also confront the uncomfortable truths about human psychology, the challenges of trauma, and the importance of vetting, mental health care, and strong community support for vulnerable youth.