“The Adachi Name Must Remain” — The Family Condition Revealed in the Kyoto Case

Some relatives were not pleased

“When Yuki-kun’s mother got married for the first time, I heard that there were some relatives in the Adachi family who were not pleased. The mother divorced when Yuki-kun was about one year old and returned to Kyoto.”

A woman familiar with the Adachi family told “FRIDAY Digital” this in an interview. The family at the center of a case attracting nationwide attention is gradually having its internal circumstances revealed.

The suspect in the disposal of the body of elementary school sixth-grader Yuki Adachi (11) in the mountains of Sonobe Town, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, was arrested on April 16 on suspicion of abandoning a corpse by Kyoto Prefectural Police: the suspect is Yuki’s adoptive father, company employee Yuki Adachi (37).

“It is said that during questioning, the suspect admitted the charges, stating, ‘There is no mistake that I did it,’ and also gave statements to the effect that he strangled him to death.

On April 18, forensic investigations began at a public restroom near the suspect’s home. It is believed that the suspect may have temporarily abandoned Yuki-kun in this restroom. The prefectural police are continuing their investigation on the assumption that the body was moved between multiple locations in addition to the forest where it was found.” (national newspaper social affairs reporter)

Even about a week after the discovery of Yuki-kun’s body, many people continue to visit the area near the site to lay flowers. When “FRIDAY Digital” reporters visited, the memorial site was overflowing with bouquets of flowers, sweets, and other offerings. Even before sunset, many people were coming to mourn Yuki-kun’s death at the memorial.

Relatives are barely able to leave the house

he home where suspect Yuki was living was a four-generation household, with Yuki-kun, his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother living together. Into this household, Yuki—who had married Yuki-kun’s mother—moved in as a son-in-law.

“Yuki-kun’s mother had previously worked at a hair salon in Tokyo, and during that time she married a different man and gave birth to Yuki-kun. However, by the time Yuki-kun was around one year old, they divorced, and she returned to Nantan City, Kyoto. After that, she remarried Yuki, who is said to have met her through work,” (same source)

Within the Adachi family, Yuki-kun was said to be cherished as a well-behaved child. On the other hand, there were various opinions regarding the mother’s marriage. A previously mentioned woman familiar with the Adachi family said:

“When Yuki-kun’s mother got married in Tokyo, not all relatives were in favor of it. Perhaps because of that, she did not consult the family in advance about her marriage. The family was suddenly introduced to the new partner and seemed somewhat confused. When remarrying, they received a request from relatives saying, ‘Please do not change the Adachi family name,’ and Yuki entered the family as a son-in-law.”

The relatives of the Adachi family are now said to be physically and mentally exhausted. The woman continued:

“At the Adachi home, where the great-grandmother and grandmother live, media and investigators have been coming every day. The relatives are mentally worn down and cannot even go outside properly. Everyone except the suspect Yuki is a victim. And yet, why must they be driven into such a situation.”

The relatives who accepted Yuki on the condition of him entering the family as a son-in-law have had their trust betrayed in the worst possible way.