A 42-year-old man who was previously questioned by police is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt.
Oyama Kenji | Japan Today
Hyogo Prefectural Police have issued a wanted notice for Oyama Kenji in connection with the deaths of a 74-year-old woman and her 52-year-old daughter at their residence in Tatsuno City, Japan.
Oyama, whose current address and occupation remain unknown, is suspected of murdering Tanaka Chihiro earlier this month and her mother, Tanaka Sumie. Both women were last seen alive on May 13. Three days later, officers encountered Oyama sleeping on the streets of Takasago, a city about a 25-minute drive away from Tatsuno.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted to committing murder, but because his statements lacked clarity, officers could not determine whether an actual crime had occurred. Police escorted him to the neighborhood where the victims lived, and since he was not carrying a weapon, he was released.
On May 19, the bodies of the two women were discovered with multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck. One victim was found near the entrance of the two-story home, while the other was located in the hallway. Authorities were alerted around 9:30 a.m. after one of Chihiro’s acquaintances contacted a nearby police box, concerned because nobody in the household could be reached. No murder weapon was recovered from the scene.
Oyama Kenji | Japan Today
Police said forensic analysis of collected evidence, along with security camera footage, led to Oyama being identified as a suspect. The arrest warrant specifically alleges that he stabbed Tanaka. Investigators also found belongings believed to belong to the victims inside the residence, including a wallet containing cash, a bankbook, and a smartphone.
Oyama is described as thin and about 160 centimeters tall. Surveillance footage recorded on May 17 showed a man believed to be Oyama near the crime scene wearing a black hat, black-rimmed glasses, and carrying a dark shoulder bag. Police further stated that Oyama had reportedly lived next door to the victims roughly a decade ago, though authorities have not confirmed any disputes or problems between them.
Tatsuno police are urging anyone with information regarding Oyama’s whereabouts to contact them at 0791-63-0110.
Source: Japan Times and Japan Today