FUKUOKA (TR) – Police in Kitakyushu City have arrested a 59-year-old unemployed man after the skeletonized remains of his father were discovered covered by a futon in their shared home, reports TV Asahi (July 1).
The victim was identified as 87-year-old Shiro Murashige. His severely decomposed body was found in the first-floor living room of the residence in Kokurakita Ward.
The grim discovery followed a tip-off on June 19 from a concerned neighbor who contacted authorities, stating, “I haven’t seen the father around and I’m worried about his safety.”
Following an investigation, police arrested the victim’s son, Shinichi Murashige, on Tuesday on suspicion of abandoning a corpse.
Upon his arrest, Shinichi admitted to the allegations, claiming he was overwhelmed by the situation.
“He had been coughing and in bed. I tried to wake him up but there was no response, and I realized he was dead,” the suspect told police. “I didn’t know what to do and panicked. There is no mistake that I just left him there.”
Authorities suspect the younger Murashige lived with his father’s rotting corpse for approximately two years. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances and cause of the elderly man’s death.
