HYOGO, Jun 04, 2026 –
A physique found in a river in Tatsuno, Hyogo Prefecture, has been recognized as 42-year-old Kenji Oyama, the suspect wished nationwide in reference to the homicide of a mom and daughter final month, police introduced on June 4th.
The physique was discovered floating face-up in a tributary of the Ibo River at round 10:30 a.m. on June third after a passerby alerted authorities. Investigators later confirmed the stays belonged to Oyama, who had been the topic of a nationwide manhunt following the killings at a residence in Tatsuno.
According to police, the physique was discovered roughly 10 kilometers downstream from a bridge the place Oyama was final seen on May twentieth. Surveillance footage had captured him within the space in the course of the days following the killings, and investigators consider he might have been staying close to the river for a while earlier than disappearing.
The physique was in a complicated state of decomposition and confirmed no apparent exterior accidents. Oyama was reportedly sporting a grey T-shirt and black trousers with white stripes, matching clothes seen in photographs launched by police in the course of the search. Authorities are conducting additional examinations to find out the precise trigger and timing of his dying.
The discovery has raised new questions on Oyama’s ultimate actions. Investigators have famous {that a} bag he was seen carrying earlier than his disappearance has by no means been recovered. Former police investigators advised that if Oyama had by chance entered the river close to the bridge the place he was final seen, the bag might have been anticipated to stay close by. Its absence has led some to invest that he continued touring downstream earlier than his dying.
Police are additionally persevering with to seek for key proof linked to the murders, together with the suspected homicide weapon, blood-stained clothes and different objects believed to have been in Oyama’s possession. Surveillance footage confirmed him altering garments a number of instances after the killings, including to the problem going through investigators.
The case shocked the local people after a mom and daughter have been discovered lifeless at their residence in Tatsuno. Police had issued a nationwide wished discover for Oyama and appealed repeatedly for info from the general public.
Investigators have additionally examined whether or not anybody might have assisted Oyama whereas he was on the run. However, police sources stated there may be at present no robust proof that he obtained assist from accomplices, and the prevailing view is that he was shifting alone, largely on foot.
The search was sophisticated by the agricultural nature of the world, the place quite a few vacant homes and unused buildings offered potential hiding locations. Authorities spent weeks reviewing surveillance footage and following up on sightings in an effort to trace the suspect’s actions.
Hyogo Prefectural Police stated it was unlucky that the suspect died earlier than investigators may query him additional.
“Although it is regrettable that the suspect has died, we will continue to clarify the full circumstances of the case,” police stated.
Even with Oyama’s dying, investigators face the tough job of figuring out his motive and reconstructing the occasions main as much as the killings. Police consider the restoration of the lacking bag, the suspected weapon and different proof may show essential in establishing a whole image of what occurred.
Previously: Floating Body May Be Linked to Mother-Daughter Murder Case
Source: TBS