Current Legislator Suspected of Killing Wife Makes Strange Claims Before Arrest

A sitting politician has been indicted for allegedly murdering his wife.

The pre-trial procedures for this shocking case have concluded, and the jury trial will begin on October 16. The defendant charged with murder is Daisuke Maruyama (50), a former member of the Nagano Prefectural Assembly.

“The incident occurred in September 2021. Maruyama is accused of killing his wife, Ms. A (then 47), by strangling her at their home and sake brewery in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. He has consistently claimed innocence, stating an alibi that he was at the parliamentary office on the day of the incident, even before his arrest” (Nationwide newspaper judicial reporter).

FRIDAY Digital reported in detail on this enigmatic case shortly after Maruyama’s arrest on November 30, 2022. This article will reflect on the entire saga of troubles that took over a year before the arrest, as well as Maruyama’s perplexing statements (some content has been revised).

 

Arrested more than a year after the incident

 

A sitting politician has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife.

On November 28, 2022, the Nagano Prefectural Police arrested Daisuke Maruyama, a member of the Nagano Prefectural Assembly, on suspicion of murder. At the time, he was serving his second term as the chair of the Assembly’s General Affairs and Planning Police Committee and was also the owner of the historic sake brewery “Wakaume Sake Brewery” (located in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture), which has been in operation since the Meiji era.

“The incident came to light on the morning of September 29, 2021, around 6:30 AM. Maruyama’s wife, Ms. A, was found lying on her back near the safe on the first floor of their home and office adjacent to the brewery. Their son discovered her and called the police at 110. She was confirmed dead shortly afterward. A forensic autopsy determined that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation” (Nationwide newspaper social department reporter).

The police established an investigation headquarters at the Shiojiri police station, treating it as a murder case. They initiated the investigation with a team of 140 officers and called for information from the public.

“There was little physical evidence, making the investigation challenging. They gradually narrowed down the suspects through interviews with people in the area and analysis of surveillance camera footage. More than a year after the incident, they finally arrested Maruyama. He had consistently denied committing the crime since the beginning” (same source).

Poor business conditions at the brewery

Just before his arrest in September 2022, Daisuke Maruyama addressed the gathered media. He explained that he learned of the incident through a call from his son around 7 AM that day, saying, “Mom is in trouble.” Regarding the lack of apprehension of the perpetrator, he commented, “I want to know what happened rather than seek punishment,” and spoke about their marriage, stating, “I think it’s a bit creepy for a couple to be so close after so many years.”

He described his alibi: “On that day, I was staying at the prefectural assembly building in Nagano City to attend a meeting.” Indeed, it was confirmed that Maruyama was at the assembly building on the night of September 28, drinking with fellow assembly members until around 11:30 PM.

However, from vehicle tracking data and dashcam footage, it was revealed that Maruyama took over two hours to travel approximately 80 km to his home in Shiojiri City. The police believe he killed his wife in the early hours of the 29th and then returned to the assembly building.

Footprints were found near the safe at the crime scene, suggesting an entry that masked a robbery. The specific motive for the crime remains unclear.

“It seems that the financial situation of ‘Wakame Shuzo,’ where Maruyama served as president, was not good. The police were investigating the possibility of some kind of trouble between the couple,” a source mentioned.

In the jury trial mentioned at the beginning, Maruyama is expected to again assert his innocence. The verdict is scheduled to be delivered on December 23.