Whether a damaged body can be transported, the risk of residents’ eyes, accomplices… Three mysteries of the Kyoto Elementary School Sixth Grade Dumping Case “Experts Verify”.

‘The investigation is closing in on me’

It has been about a week since the father was arrested on suspicion of abandoning a corpse. On April 16, the adoptive father, Yuki Adachi, 37, was arrested by the Kyoto Prefectural Police, but there are still many unanswered questions.

Former Kanagawa Prefectural Police detective and crime journalist Taihei Ogawa, who actually covered the crime scene, examines three points that remain a mystery.

1: Is it possible to transport a damaged body?

When the body of Yuki, who was later identified as his son, was found in a forest in the city on April 13, the police announced that “a considerable number of days had passed since his death” and that his gender was unknown. Can a badly damaged body be transported and carried in the mountains?

The police said, “In conclusion, it is physically possible. We believe that the suspect drove the body to the vicinity of the dumping site. When the body was found, it was in a prone position. If the body is lying on its face down, even if it is damaged, it is relatively easy to pull it out of the car by holding the hem of the pants from the top. If the body is lying on its face down, it is difficult to move the body because the knee joints are bent, and the face and other parts of the body are further damaged when the body is dragged, so it will be quite difficult to get the body out of the car.

The problem is after the body is removed from the car. If there is no special transportation equipment, the body will be wrapped in a blue sheet and pulled to avoid further damage. Considerable force is required on the part of the puller, and the site will be marked with marks from dragging the blue sheet. It is very difficult for a single person to perform the entire operation without being seen.

2: Why did the suspect repeatedly move the body, risking being seen by residents?

In a mountain forest in the city, about 2 km from the Adachi suspect’s home, a public restroom in the nature park “Rurikei” ……. According to the police, Adachi is suspected of moving the body to several locations in the city to hide it. The incident took place in no large city. Why would Adachi move the body so many times, taking the risk of being seen by residents, many of whom were acquainted with the suspect?

Most residents must have known that Yuki was missing since March 23, when his relatives began asking for information. Even if the father, the suspect, was in a forest or park, they would not be suspicious. If the suspect said, “I want to look for my son by myself” or “I want to cooperate with the police investigation as much as possible,” many people would be convinced.

However, the story changes when it comes to moving the body. Even if it is late at night, the suspect cannot be seen carrying the body. The suspect must have known that the police investigation was closing in on him. Knowing the status of the search, he must have hurriedly moved the corpse from the point where the police were focusing their investigation. The suspect’s actions give the impression of an ad hoc response rather than a precise plan.

I feel fear.”

3. Is there an accomplice?

The police are investigating the case as a lone suspect. However, under the watchful eyes of residents and the press, is it possible for a single person to keep and move the body without being noticed?

The police are investigating the body alone. “I have been to the area where the body was found, but it is pitch black at night and there is not a sound, which is terrifying. Without lights, nothing can be done. As mentioned above ([1: transportation of the corpse]), it involves a great deal of difficulty for one person to do all the work without being seen. The police should be investigating to corroborate the suspect’s statements to see if he really committed the crime alone.

It is possible that someone else was aware of the crime, if not an accomplice. No matter how well preserved the body is, if the body is hidden somewhere for a long period of time, people around the body would have noticed something unusual, such as the smell. At this point (April 21), the police are investigating the case of abandonment of a corpse. If they proceed with the murder investigation, the case may take a different turn.

Adachi is said to be responding to police questioning without hesitation. However, there are many inconsistencies in his words and actions, such as calling a related party to say that the child was missing before he was notified by the school that Yuki had not been coming to school. Depending on his statements, the development of the case may change drastically, and many mysteries may be unraveled.