An IT company representative (49) from Tokyo’s Akasaka district was arrested nearly two months ago in connection with a “bodyless corpse abandonment case.” On the 5th, the Metropolitan Police Department announced that part of the victim’s body had been found. DNA analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to a male company officer (then 54).
Approximately eight months had passed since the man was reported missing.
Why did it take so long to discover the remains? Based on interviews with investigative sources, we trace the course of the investigation.
Report from an acquaintance
Regarding the man, a female acquaintance reported to Azabu Police Station on October 10 of last year that she could not contact him, and a missing person report was filed. Similar reports were also received from family members.
Azabu Police immediately began investigating, considering the possibility of an incident or accident. Surveillance camera footage last showed the man on September 28, about two weeks before the missing person report was filed. He was seen walking near his home in casual clothes. His home was searched, but there were no signs of disturbance.
The man who worked with him and was later arrested and indicted on suspicion of abandoning a body reportedly stated at the time that he had “never heard of any work-related troubles involving the man.” Police officers also visited the company office in Minato Ward’s Akasaka area at that time but did not notice any signs of criminal activity.
Traces not immediately apparent
Suspicious traces were discovered in February, after another report from the female acquaintance.
According to investigative sources, subsequently…
