IBARAKI (TR) – Ibaraki Prefectural Police have revealed that the body found in a forest in Tsukuba City this week is that of a Chinese woman who went missing last month, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Jan. 31).
On Friday, police said that they are treating the death of Shi Muhua, 54, as the result of foul play.
On January 27, the body of Shi was found in the forest. The body was clothed in a jacket, underwear and socks. She had no shoes.
Pants that she is believed to have been wearing were found nearby. Her right rib was broken, and some of the skin on her neck was peeling off, police said.
The results of an autopsy revealed no cause of death. However, she may have died due to asphyxiation. It is believed that several weeks have passed since her death.
On December 22, Shi’s estranged husband called police. He said, “I can’t get in touch with my estranged wife. She doesn’t answer the intercom.”
Police officers and her husband checked the home but were unable to confirm that she was home. After still being unable to contact her, her husband filed a missing person’s report with Tsuchiura Police Station on December 25.
According to the police, Shi was last seen shopping at a retail store in the prefecture at around 7:20 p.m. on Decemnber 20.
