crime

21-year-old man arrested after burning mother's body in Sendai

13 Comments

Police in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, said Sunday they have arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of burning his mother’s body.

According to police, Haruto Murakami, a vocational college student, has admitted to the charge, Fuji TV reported. Police said Murakami told them he found his mother dead on the night of July 16 and that he took the body in his car to Natori in Miyagi Prefecture where he disposed of it between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. the next morning. 

On July 17, Murakami turned himself in at a police station in Sendai.

Police said the body was so badly burned that they have not been able to determine the cause of death. They are continuing to question Murakami about his actions.

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13 Comments
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Such a different type of aggression (attacking ones family). I wonder what causes this?

Probably from being mentally and/or physically abused his whole life. Stereotypical East Asian tiger parenting style, always nagging their kids, nothing is ever good enough, irrational and contradictory demands and expectations. Plus, if he's going to a vocational school that means he's considered a "dummy" by Asian standards*, so probably even worse family pressure. Not to excuse what he did but.

*I'm not a fan of how most developed countries look down on the trades. A plumber, HVAC specialist, mechanic or oil rig roughneck makes a lot more money than a professional typist and has no college debt. In fact, we should encourage more people to go into the trades.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Police said the body was so badly burned that they have not been able to determine the cause of death. They are continuing to question Murakami about his actions."

maybe the poor guy "doesn't clearly recall the matter" or was "drunk" which may explain the continuing of questions about his actions. Their cosset due process system is so conducive for them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It’s interesting to see people speculating about medical conditions that may have caused her death. If you came hone and found your mother dead would you throw her into the car, take her up to the mountains and burn her body? Of course you wouldn’t! He has killed her and burned her body to ‘successfully hide the evidence.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The article never said he killed his mother. It simply said he was arrested for improperly disposing of a corpse. Albeit it sounds suspicious. He may very well have killed her or he could be innocent and mentally ill and didn’t know what to do. I can’t judge anything from the information provided.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

" he took the body in his car to Natori in Miyagi Prefecture where he disposed of it "

cough cough ....tried to cover his tracks, like a movie gangsta.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Police said Murakami told them he found his mother dead on the night of July 16 and that he took the body in his car to Natori in Miyagi Prefecture where he disposed of it between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. the next morning. 

Might as well just be honest, sunshine, and admit that you murdered your own Mother.....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"has admitted to the charge"

"turned himself in at a police station"

Good honest perpetrator.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Since he is only 21 one would think his mother would still be relatively young and unlikely to just fall over dead. His story seems pretty unlikely.

She must have been between 40 and 50 divorced or a single mother, therefore a heart attack, stroke, alcohol poisoning, asthma are some possible reasons....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Since he is only 21 one would think his mother would still be relatively young and unlikely to just fall over dead. His story seems pretty unlikely.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

It's unfathomable how anyone can do this to their own mother. What a low life.

On a serious note, Japan needs to do more research on mental illness. This is a big societal and cultural issue in Japan, as Japan already has more than twice the mental illness patients per capita than any other country in the world. This is not something to be ashamed of and hide it under the tatami. Every country has their good and bad points. You need to address these issues, otherwise these stories will just become the norm.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Such a different type of aggression (attacking ones family). I wonder what causes this?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Oh dear .... Long term Japanese prisoners make footwear, work uniforms etc so I guess this killer will continue his vocational studies at a very strict prison institution.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

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