TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 25-year-old man over the alleged assault of his girlfriend who later died, an incident that started with a fight over room temperature, reports the Asahi Shimbun.
According to police, Ryotaro Masuda, of no known occupation, allegedly assaulted Yui Murata, also 25, in the face inside their residence in Hiroo, Shibuya Ward on Thursday night and the following morning.
On Friday morning, Masuda called emergency services. “[My girlfriend] has collapsed and is unconscious,” he reportedly said. When police officers and firefighters arrived at the scene, they found Murata lying unconscious in the hallway of the residence. She was confirmed dead at the scene.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of assault resulting in injury, Masuda admitted to the charges, saying, “There is no doubt that I hit her in the face.”
According to police, Masuda had been dating Murata around 2021 after meeting on social media. They were living together in the apartment where the incident occurred.
At the time of the incident, Masuda explained that he had an argument with Murata over the room temperature when she returned home on Thursday, and that he had slapped her in the face.
Murata was found collapsed in the hallway of her apartment by Masuda on Friday. She was later confirmed dead at the scene.
Masuda had multiple bruises on her face and body, and police will use the results of an autopsy to be conducted on Sunday to determine the cause of death.
