SAITAMA (TR) – Saitama Prefectural Police on Monday arrested an organized crime member after the discovery of the body of a 39-year-old woman inside a love hotel in Saitama City, reports TBS News (Oct. 26).
Police took Koji Suzuki, 44, into custody for stabbing Emi Ikura to death inside the Restay Nero hotel, located in Iwatsuki Ward.
Suzuki, who has been charged with murder, admits to the allegations, telling police that he used a kitchen knife to stab the victim. He also said that he had planned to kill himself.
At approximately 4:30 a.m. that day, personnel from the hotel found the body of Ikura lying face-up atop a bed inside a room. The corpse had received stab wounds in more than 10 locations, including the chest and abdomen. Officers from the Iwatsuki Police Station later confirmed her dead at the scene.
At 3:45 a.m. the day before, Ikura entered the hotel with Suzuki. He later left the hotel alone via a passenger vehicle.
Later on Monday, police apprehended Suzuki. Inside his car, police found charcoal briquettes and a stove, which are commonly used to commit suicide. The suspect told police that he had known the victim for several years.
Police are now seeking a motive for the crime.