FUKUOKA (TR) – Fukuoka Prefectureal Police have arrested a 46-year-old man for allegedly dumping the corpse of his father at a materials storage yard in Kitakyushu City that the suspect operates, reports the Asahi Shimbun (May 21).
Ryoma Hanayama is the 46-year-old president of a civil engineering and construction company in Kokurakita Ward. He is suspected of burying the body of his father, 87-year-old Ryuichi, in the ground at a materials storage facility in Kokuraminami Ward that is managed by the same company between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on April 18.
According to police, the suspect denies the allegations. He said, “I didn’t do it.”
At around 2:40 p.m. on May 20, investigators found the decomposed body of Ryuichi wrapped in a sheet buried in the yard.
Ryuichi was last seen at around 3:00 p.m. on April 17, when an acquaintance saw him driving to his home. However, his relatives filed a missing persons report after being unable to contact him the next day. At this time, police also became aware that Ryuichi and Ryoma were engaged in a dispute.
An examination of security camera footage and a car linked to the suspect later led police to the location where the body was found.
Police are continuing the investigation on suspicion of murder.
