AICHI (TR) – Aichi Prefectural Police have arrested a 45-year-old man over the alleged murder of his girlfriend in her apartment in Toyota City last month, reports TBS News (Jan. 31).
Early on January 17, Taku Kitajima allegedly strangled Akiko Ogawa, a 42-year-old office worker, to death at her residence in the Toshincho area.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of murder, Kitajima denied the charges. He said, “I didn’t do it. I don’t know anything.”
After the murder, Kitajima is believed to have set fire to the apartment at around 4:40 a.m. and fled the scene. Firefighters arriving at the unit found the front door locked.
It is believed that Kitajima met Ogawa as a customer at the restaurant where she worked around the end of December. The two had only just begun dating earlier this year.
Two days before the body was discovered, Kitajima made a scene at the residence. He was found banging on the door of the apartment and shouting. He screamed, “Open up!” The commotion led to police arriving at the scene.
Police are continuing the investigation on suspicion of arson.
