FUKUI (TR) – Police have arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of confining a woman in her 20s whose body was subsequently discovered dumped in a wooded area in Awara City, reports TV Asahi (Nov. 8).
Takashi Utsunomiya, 49, was initially taken into custody for allegedly forcing the victim, a resident of neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture, into a light passenger vehicle on October 30 and driving her around against her will.
According to police, Utsunomiya made statements during questioning hinting at having killed the woman. A search operation was launched, and officers discovered her corpse in a mountainous forest in the city of Awara.
Investigators revealed that the pair are believed to have been romantically involved. In July, the victim consulted police for assistance, expressing that she wanted to sever ties with Utsunomiya.
Police are now preparing to upgrade the investigation to murder and the abandonment of a corpse as their probe continues.
