HOKKAIDO (TR) – Hokkaido Prefectural Police have arrested a 38-year-old man for the killing of his girlfriend inside the apartment they shared in Sapporo, reports NHK (Jan. 24).
Sometime between January 20 and 23, Junpei Hatake is alleged to have strangled Miyaki Ono, 31, to death inside the residence, located in Shiroishi Ward.
Working on a tip from the landlord of the building, police entered the premises at approximately 2:00 a.m. on January 24. Ono’s body was found lying face-up on a bed. She was confirmed dead at the scene.
Marks found on her neck were consistent with strangulation.
Hatake, who has been charged with murder, admits to the allegations. “We had a fight over living expenses,” the suspect is quoted by police. “Because she had used my money I became angry and strangled her to death with a laundry cord.”
Prior to the arrival of police, the suspect had told the landlord that the couple had attempted suicide and his girlfriend wound up dead.