Japanese family arrested for death of beheaded man at 'love hotel'
A Japanese doctor was arrested along with his wife and daughter this week in connection with the grisly discovery of a decapitated body at a love hotel.
Psychiatrist Osamu Tamura, 59, and his daughter Runa, 29, were arrested Monday in the killing of Hitoshi Ura in Sapporo on Japan’s northern main island, the Kyodo News reported.
Osamu Tamura’s wife, 60-year-old Hiroko Tamura, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy when authorities raided the family’s home on Tuesday.
Ura, 62, was found dead in the bathtub of a room in a so-called short-stay “love hotel” in the city’s Susukino red light district on July 2.
None of his belongings were left in the room, and the bed also appeared unused.
He died from blood loss incurred by multiple stab wounds, and was decapitated, an autopsy revealed, according to the Kyodo News.
The “love hotel” where the victim was found on July 2. AP
His head was taken from the scene and remains missing.
Ura’s body was discovered by hotel staff one day after he checked into the facility with a second person who is believed to have been Runa Tamura.
The person with Ura was described by witnesses as small and wearing light-colored clothing with a wide-brimmed hat, the Kyodo News said, citing investigative sources.
Police escort Runa Tamura, 29, away from a police station in Sapporo on Monday. AP
Three hours after the duo checked in, Ura’s unnamed companion, who was now wearing black, left carrying a large suitcase.
After Ura’s mutilated body was found, more than 200 officers were deployed to look for the mysterious person.
Runa and her father are believed to have collaborated on Ura’s killing, though police are still investigating their motive and whether the victim was previously known to them.
The victim’s body had multiple stab wounds. Its head had been taken from the scene. AP
After the family’s arrest, neighbors said that Runa struggled in school and had been reclusive since her childhood.
She may have sought psychiatric treatment in a facility at some point, police said.
With Post wires
Source: New York Post
