The case of the assault and death of a 15-year-old boy in Shiraoka City, Saitama: The “strange” behavior of the victim boy
What happened to the boy who never attended elementary school and took care of his younger brothers?
I have a video of Mr. Kato and his family having a barbecue in front of their house in November last year. In the video, there is one boy who is wearing a hat and a mask, sitting still and not moving. It was Sota.” (Neighborhood resident)
Sota Kato, 15, was found unconscious at his home in Shirooka City, Saitama Prefecture, on January 15, and was confirmed dead on January 18. Sota, the eldest of eight siblings, was found dead in the living room on the first floor of the house he shared with his mother and common-law husband. Sota, the eldest of eight siblings, was found with multiple bruises and broken bones in the living room on the first floor of the house he shared with his mother and common-law husband. The cause of death is believed to be acute subdural hematoma and a strong impact to the head.
Sota had been absent from school since he was in the fifth grade when his family lived in Hasuda City, and moved to Shirooka City five years ago. On the other hand, Sota was often seen taking care of the younger children in the neighborhood, giving the impression that he was a polite and active boy.
It was at the aforementioned barbecue in November of last year that the neighbors noticed an obvious change in Sota.
When asked by his roommate to fetch something, Sota was clearly unable to move his body properly and was walking with a limp. While the other children were enjoying the barbecue as usual, Sota was the only one who looked strange, and a neighbor took a video of him on the spur of the moment. The video was reported to the child guidance center. ……” (The neighbor mentioned above)
In fact, a few days before the incident, the Kato family had been in trouble in the neighborhood.
In fact, a few days before that, the Kato family had caused trouble in the neighborhood. “After 1 a.m., there was a very loud and strange noise, like shouting, which became a rumor around the neighborhood. I’m not sure if it was the parents’ voice or the child’s voice. Sota usually gently told the younger children, ‘Don’t make too much noise, don’t make too much noise,’ and was careful not to cause any trouble.
Something may have already started to happen to Sota at that time.
From “FRIDAY” February 11, 2022 issue
PHOTO： Shinji Hasuo
