CHIBA (TR) – A man in custody in connection with a murder-arson case in which a couple was fatally stabbed and nearby buildings set ablaze in Kashiwa City last month had previously complained to a third party about a non-payment of funds, police revealed on December 25.
At just after 6:00 p.m. on December 18, a neighbor found Toshiaki Watarai and his wife, Reiko, both 59, collapsed inside their residence.
Toshiaki Watarai had suffered a stab wound to the abdomen. Meanwhile, Reiko received a wound to the chest. Both were later confirmed dead at a hospital.
The following night, police accused Kaoru Sakamaki, 77, of obstruction of official duties after he allegedly attempted to flee police officers.
In the latest development, according to the Asahi Shimbun (Dec. 26), Sakamaki told a close friend prior to the incident, “I’m going to kill [Wwtarai] because he won’t pay me back my money, then set the house on fire and kill myself.”
Hemorrhagic shock
The results of autopsies conducted on December 20 revealed that the cause of death of both Watarai and his wife was hemorrhagic shock, police said.
In addition to defensive wounds made in an attempt to protect oneself, each had multiple stab wounds. A stab wound in Toshiaki’s back reached his lung, and a wound in Reiko’s left chest reached her heart.
Based on the condition of the wounds on the two bodies, the police believe that the perpetrator committed the crime with a strong intent to kill.
Arson
A car similar to Sakamaki’s was found parked in front of Watarai’s house prior to the incident. As well, bloodstains from the suspect were discovered at the scene of the fire.
An examination of the couple’s home showed signs of a struggle. As well, at least one witness reported that a woman was arguing with a person just before the incident was discovered.
About 10 minutes after the discovery of the collapsed couple, a fire broke out about 600 meters from the crime scene. It destroyed Sakamaki’s house and seven other residential buildings.
Two persons, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 80s, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized.
According to investigators, when the fire broke out at the house, the suspect was seen throwing something that was on fire near the scene, and then leaving in a car.
According to the fire department, there was also information that there was a gasoline-like smell at the scene and an explosion was heard at the time, reports NHK (Dec. 20).
Buns covering his lower body
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Sakamaki on suspicion of arson on December 19. That night, police following up on a tip about a suspicious vehicle parked on a road in Inzai City — about 30 kilometers away — located Sakamaki.
At the time, burns covered Sakamaki’s lower body. Officers later escorted him to a hospital for treatment.
Watarai runs a real-estate related business. Prior to incident, Sakamaki had requested a property appraisal the company. Police believe that the attack could been motivated by the suspect’s dissatisfaction with the appraisal.
Police are continuing the investigation, seeking to confirm whether there is a connection between the murders and the arson.
