Expert Review in Kyoto Case Focuses on Three Major Investigative Challenges

The investigation was closing in on him

About a week has passed since the father was arrested on suspicion of abandoning a body. This concerns the case in which Yuki Adachi (11), a student at a municipal elementary school in Sonobe, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, was found dead and his body abandoned. On April 16, his adoptive father, Yuki Adachi (37), was arrested by Kyoto Prefectural Police, but many aspects of the case remain unclear.

Criminal journalist and former Kanagawa Prefectural Police detective Yasuhiro Ogawa, who visited the actual scene, examines three key unresolved points (comments below are from Ogawa).

1: Is it possible to transport a decomposed body?

When the body later identified as Yuki was found in a forest within the city on April 13, police announced that a considerable amount of time had passed since death and that the sex was unknown. Is it really possible to transport and move a heavily decomposed body into a mountain area?

“In conclusion, it is physically possible. The suspect is believed to have transported the body close to the disposal site by car. At the time of discovery, the body was reportedly lying face-up. If face-up, even if the body is decomposed, it can be relatively easily pulled out of a vehicle by gripping the hem of the trousers and pulling from above. If face-down, the bent knee joints make it harder to move, and dragging it would further damage the face, making removal from the car quite difficult.

The problem comes after removing the body from the vehicle. Without special equipment, it would need to be wrapped in a blue tarp or similar and dragged to avoid further damage. This requires significant physical strength, and drag marks from the tarp would be left at the scene. So-called shoe prints (footwear impressions) would also remain, making the process extremely risky for the suspect. Carrying out such a series of actions alone, and without being seen, would be extremely difficult.”

2: Why risk being seen by residents and move the body multiple times?

Forest land within the city, a public restroom at the natural park ‘Rurikei’ about 2 km from the suspect’s home. According to police, the suspect is believed to have moved and concealed the body across several locations within the city. The incident took place in a relatively small community where most residents know each other. Why did the suspect risk being seen by locals and move the body multiple times?

“From March 23, when the search for Yuki began and relatives started requesting information, most residents would have known about the disappearance. If the suspect—his father—was seen in a forest or park, people would not necessarily find it suspicious. If he said, ‘I want to search for my son myself’ or ‘I want to cooperate with the police,’ most people would likely accept it.

However, moving a body is different. Even at night, it cannot be seen. The suspect must have known that the police investigation was closing in on him. It is likely that, as he became aware of search progress and key investigation areas, he hastily moved the body away from those locations.

His actions suggest not a carefully planned scheme, but rather a reactive, improvised response.”

“I feel a sense of fear.”

[3: Are there accomplices?]

Regarding the charge of corpse abandonment, there has been no statement from Adachi indicating that there was an accomplice, and police are reportedly investigating it as a single-person offense. However, amid residents’ and reporters’ watchful eyes, is it even possible for one person to store and move a body without being noticed?

“I also went near where the body was found, and at night it’s pitch dark with not a single sound, and I felt fear. Without light, you can’t do anything. As mentioned earlier (see [1: transporting the body]), carrying out all the work alone without being seen would involve considerable difficulty. Police are likely verifying whether it was truly a solo crime and cross-checking the suspect’s statements.

Even if it’s not an accomplice, there may be someone who was aware of the act. No matter how well preserved it is, if a body is left hidden somewhere for a long time, people around would normally notice abnormalities such as odor. As of now (April 21), the police are investigating the case as corpse abandonment. If they proceed to investigate it as murder, the case could take a completely different turn.”

Adachi reportedly responds calmly during questioning. However, there are inconsistencies in his statements, such as contacting related parties saying the child is missing even before being informed by the school that he had stopped attending. Depending on his testimony, the situation could change significantly, and many of the mysteries may be resolved.