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Saitama cops: Elderly man suffocated bedridden wife

Outside the residence in Sakado City
Outside the residence in Sakado City

SAITAMA (TR) – Saitama Prefectural Police have arrested an 87-year-old man for allegedly killing his bedridden wife in the residence they share in Sakado City, reports the Sankei Shimbun (June 25).

At approximately 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, Taro Kawashima telephoned emergency services to say that he killed his wife. Officers arriving at the residence, located in the Asaba area, and found his wife Yuki, 85, in an unconscious state lying atop a bed.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was confirmed dead.

Taro, who has been charged with attempted murder, admits to the charges, telling police that he covered his wife’s nose and mouth with his hands.

According to police, Yuki suffered from leg problems. For the last 10 years, Taro had been taking care of her.

She entered a rest home Tsurugashima in April but left earlier this month. “My mother had said that the facilities were cramped,” the couple’s 55-year-old son, who lives in an adjoining building, is quoted. “My father was just worn out.”

Depending on the course of the investigation the charges against Taro could be changed to murder.