SAITAMA (TR) – Saitama Prefectural Police launched an investigation last week following the discovery of the corpses of a woman and her former husband inside his residence in Saitama City. The case is being treated as murder-suicide, police said, reports TV Tama (May 8).
At around 7:00 p.m. on May 5, a male acquaintance of Yumika Yoshida, 29, reported that he could not get in touch with her after she visited her former husband’s apartment.
When police visited the apartment in Chuo Ward, the doors were locked. They then entered by breaking a window. Upon entry, they found the bodies of Yoshida and her 39-year-old former husband inside.
According to police, Yoshida had suffered multiple stab wounds. The man’s body had no visible external injuries.
The results of an autopsy revealed that Yoshida’s died due to a stab wound to the back, which damaged her heart and aorta. The man’s death is believed to have been caused by poisoning.
There were no signs that the residence had been ransacked. Police found packaging for cold medicine, sleeping pills and other drugs in the trash. As well, a note left on a computer that was believed to have been written by the man expressing his dissatisfaction with Yoshida. He apologized to her family and hinted at suicide.
Consultations with police
Police believe that the man killed Yoshida and then committed suicide. Police are now investigating the circumstances that led to Yoshida going to his house.
According to investigators, police received a total of eight consultations from Yoshida regarding marital troubles between 2021 and April. Among them was a request for temporary refuge at a shelter. Police said that they responded to all of the consultations.
