In November 2018, Kawagoe Himi, a 49-year-old housewife in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, disappeared and was found dead six months later in a closet of her former marital home. Despite divorcing Akira Tsuda, her ex-husband, she continued living with him and his longtime partner Mayumi. Tsuda was arrested and later convicted of murder by strangulation and corpse abandonment. The case reveals a complex, distorted 33-year relationship involving infidelity, cohabitation after divorce, and emotional conflict. Tsuda was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with the motive presumed to be frustration over Himi not leaving the shared home. The case highlights the tragic consequences of prolonged relationship dysfunction and unaddressed domestic conflict.
Country: Japan
State/Province: Hyogo, Japan
City/Region: Kobe
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Divorced
Relationship Duration: Approximately 4 years (marriage)
Incident Date: None
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How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 4 years (marriage)
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
事件解説チャンネル · Original language: Japanese
消えた主婦の行方と半年間の沈黙…「歪んだ男女関係」が招いた理不尽な結末【神戸市須磨区遺体遺棄事件】
Jealousy
The case involves a prolonged, distorted relationship with infidelity and cohabitation after divorce. The ex-husband's frustration and jealousy over the victim's refusal to leave the shared home escalated to murder. The involvement of a longtime mistress and continued cohabitation created a complex domestic conflict culminating in homicide.
Police arrested Akira Tsuda and Mayumi on corpse abandonment charges initially; Tsuda was later re-arrested and indicted for murder. Autopsy confirmed strangulation as cause of death. Psychological evaluations concluded Tsuda was the sole perpetrator. The trial resulted in an 18-year prison sentence. The case highlights the importance of welfare checks and community vigilance.
Initial police response to a scream report did not detect the crime due to lack of visible evidence. The cause of death was initially unclear due to decomposition. Tsuda denied murder but admitted corpse abandonment. Defense suggested alternative causes of death, but medical evidence supported strangulation. Motive remains speculative.
Kawagoe Himi disappeared in November 2018. Despite divorce, she continued living with ex-husband Tsuda and his partner Mayumi. A scream was reported near the apartment in November 2018, but police found no evidence. Himi's body was discovered in June 2019 in a closet. Tsuda and Mayumi lived with the body hidden for six months. Tsuda was convicted of murder by strangulation, motivated by frustration and jealousy over Himi's refusal to leave.
High risk due to prolonged domestic conflict, unresolved separation, mental instability of the offender, and presence of jealousy and resentment. The failure to detect the victim's disappearance for six months indicates situational vulnerability and social isolation.
Early intervention on domestic disturbance reports is critical. Prolonged unresolved relationship conflicts, especially involving infidelity and cohabitation after divorce, can escalate to lethal violence. Community awareness and welfare checks can prevent unnoticed disappearances. Legal accountability and mental health considerations are essential in such cases.
The scream reported at 2 a.m. and the victim's disappearance from public view were early signals. The victim's absence from neighborhood activities and the smell noticed by neighbors were critical.
The smell from the apartment, the victim's absence since December, and the presence of the ex-husband and his partner living together were key clues.
DNA identification of the body, autopsy findings of neck bone fractures indicating strangulation, and psychological evaluations linking Tsuda to the crime were strongest evidence.
Neighbors reported the victim's disappearance and unusual smells. A woman reported hearing a scream near the apartment. A resident saw Mayumi entering the apartment and acting evasively. Police and management company employees confirmed no response at the door.
Initial arrest was for corpse abandonment; later re-arrest and indictment for murder occurred. The defense introduced alternative death causes, but medical evidence confirmed strangulation. The final verdict sentenced Tsuda to 18 years.
Exact motive remains unclear as Tsuda did not admit to murder or explain his motive. The role and knowledge of Mayumi in the murder remain speculative.