Four Deaths Including a Mother and Her Kids — The Unforgivable Motive of a 46-Year-Old Man

According to the police, the suspect has not expressed any remorse for the deceased family members and calmly discussed the motives behind his actions. This impression was also conveyed by the behavior of the suspect, Yusuke Goto, as observed by our newspaper’s photographer during his transfer.

On June 19, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Investigation Division 1 arrested Yusuke Goto, a 46-year-old unemployed man with no fixed address, on suspicion of murder. Goto is accused of killing his former wife, Fuyumi Takunami, a 37-year-old caregiver, in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo.

The incident occurred between around 5 p.m. on May 22 and 1 p.m. the following day. Goto allegedly stabbed Takunami multiple times with a kitchen knife in their two-story home in Shinagawa Ward. Her body was found near the entrance on the first floor, and in the same room, the bodies of three children aged 2 to 6, all with stab wounds, were discovered.

After killing Takunami, Goto reportedly set fire to the house and attempted to commit suicide by cutting his own neck with a knife. His injuries were superficial, and he did not suffer life-threatening harm. He was transported to the hospital by firefighters after inhaling smoke and sustaining burns. He was arrested after his recovery. Goto has admitted to the crime, stating to the police, “There is no mistake.”

The emergency call to the fire department was made around 2 p.m. on May 23, when a relative living nearby reported a burning smell and an inability to enter the house due to a locked door. According to the police, Takunami and their 3-year-old daughter died from blood loss due to knife wounds, while the 6-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son are believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Divorced three days before the incident was discovered.

 

The scene of the crime is located in a residential area near the Togoshi Ginza shopping street. The family, which was reportedly well-regarded by neighbors, had some underlying issues.

According to sources, Takunami and Goto had conflicts over household chores and child-rearing responsibilities. While the exact reasons are unclear, it is known that Takunami had left her job at a caregiving facility about a year ago. Goto, who worked as a freelance video editor, was struggling with his career and had minimal income, leading to a financial and emotional deadlock.

Both individuals were likely in unstable mental states. Discussions about divorce between them began earlier this year, and their divorce was finalized on May 20, just three days before the incident. Goto was scheduled to move out of the residence by May 27.

Regarding the motive for the murder of Takunami, Goto reportedly said,

“On the day of the incident, I was told, ‘Get out right now!’ and I lost my temper and stabbed her. I couldn’t control my anger.”

He also implied involvement in the deaths of the three children, stating,

“I felt sorry that the children would be left with a murderer for a father after their mother was dead. I thought it would be better if both the children and I were burned up in the fire.”

It is suspected that Goto may have killed the children one by one as they tried to escape. According to reports from Jiji Press and others, an untouched dinner was found on the dining table in the living room.