WAKAYAMA (TR) – The body of a German university student who went missing last month was found floating off the coast of Wakayama Prefecture last week, police said on Tuesday, reports Mainichi Broadcasting System (Nov. 5).
Just before 2:50 p.m. on November 1, the Wakayama Coast Guard received a report about a body floating face-up off the coast of Takurazaki. The body was clothed only in jeans.
A DNA analysis conducted on the body confirmed that it was that of Claudio Worm, 21, who entered Japan on a tourist visa on September 21.
Due to the stage of decay of the body, an autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death, police said.
After touring Tokyo, Worm entered Wakayama Prefecture on September 30. He dropped out of contact about two weeks later.
A man believed to be Worm was seen in security camera footage entering Wakayama on September 30. He checked out of an accommodation in Wakayama City on October 10.
He was later seen on security camera footage near Nankai Electric Railway’s Wakayamashi Station at around 8:30 p.m. on October 11.
He spoke to his mother on the telephone on October 10. Two days later, he contacted a friend in Germany.
His passport, clothes, toothbrush and other items were found in a nearby public toilet. His mobile phone was discovered on a bridge over the Kino River. His wallet and backpack were not been found.
A suitcase believed to belong to Worm was found in a coin-operated locker at JR Wakayama Station on October 30.
Police are working to determine the cause of death.
