A 37-year-old man in Japan has been indicted on suspicion of murdering his 11-year-old stepson and abandoning the boy’s body in a wooded area in Kyoto Prefecture.
The suspect, identified as Yuki Adachi, was reportedly quoted by investigators after his arrest in April as saying he killed the child because he became angry over the boy’s words and behaviour.
According to investigators, the boy had allegedly told Adachi that he did not consider him to be his father.
Adachi became the child’s stepfather after marrying the boy’s mother.
The tragic case began after the child was reported missing on March 23, triggering a large-scale search operation.
Authorities later discovered the boy’s school backpack on March 29, followed by his sneakers on April 12.
The child’s body was eventually found the following day, with all items reportedly discovered at separate locations.
Investigative sources revealed that Adachi allegedly admitted to moving the body at least four times before abandoning it in a wooded area in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture.
He also allegedly discarded the backpack and sneakers separately in different locations to avoid detection.
Local police arrested Adachi on April 16 on suspicion of abandoning the body before later serving him with a fresh arrest warrant on May 6 over murder allegations.
The shocking case has sparked outrage and sadness across Japan as investigations continue into the child’s death.
