SHIGA (TR) — Local police are scrambling for answers after three lifeless bodies were discovered floating in Lake Biwa in separate incidents over the course of a single day, reports Kansai TV (May 9).
The discoveries began early in the morning on Saturday and concluded with a third body found that afternoon, prompting investigations by both the Otsu and Otsu-Kita Police Stations.
At around 3:30 p.m., a man taking a stroll through the Zeze Castle Ruins Park spotted a body floating face up about 10 meters offshore in the Honmarucho area. He immediately called authorities. He said, “There is something that looks like a person floating.”
According to the Otsu Police Station, the deceased is a man believed to be in his 20s to 40s, approximately 165 centimeters tall with a medium build and long black hair. He was dressed entirely in black, wearing a coat, pants and sneakers. Investigators noted no visible signs of trauma or disarray in his clothing, nor were any personal belongings found. Police estimate he had been dead for some time.
Earlier that same day, at 6:30 a.m., another walker made a similar discovery along the shore in the Arakawa area of Otsu. The body of a woman, believed to be in her 60s or 70s, was found floating face up. She was approximately 150 centimeters tall, had short brown hair, and was dressed in a blue long-sleeved shirt, black pants, and black New Balance sneakers. Investigators say she had not been dead long and showed no prominent external injuries.
Just over half an hour later, shortly after 7:00 a.m., a cyclist crossing the Biwako Ohashi Bridge spotted a third corpse. This victim, a man in his 40s or 50s, was found floating on his side approximately 400 meters offshore, directly below the bridge’s observation deck in the Imakatata area. He was roughly 170 centimeters tall with short black hair, wearing a black windbreaker, black pants, and white shoes.
Police are currently rushing to identify the three individuals and determine their causes of death. Authorities have not yet stated whether they believe the three cases are connected.
