A 33-year-old zookeeper faces murder charges after allegedly strangling his wife and dumping her body into an incinerator shaft at Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido, Japan.
Discovery of Affair Leads to Fatal Confrontation
Investigators confirm the suspect discovered his wife’s affair with another zoo employee. On March 31, following their night shift, he lured her to the zoo’s incinerator entrance, strangled her, and pushed her into the shaft, where her body was severely burned.
The zoo received an emergency report around 3 a.m. that day. The suspect confessed during questioning, stating, “After our shift ended at the zoo, I lured her to the entrance.”
Police Investigation and Arrest
On April 23, the suspect issued a statement denying involvement in a prior March incident under real-name verification. Authorities quickly identified him as the prime suspect after reviewing evidence.
Officers searched his residence on April 29 and the crime scene on May 1. The probe extended to the zoo’s interior, where data from the victim’s phone suggests the suspect tracked other employees’ locations.
Victim’s Final Words and Ongoing Probe
Witness accounts indicate the victim told the suspect, “Even if it’s cold, I’ll be patient,” prior to the attack. Police continue to examine circumstances surrounding the threats and body disposal.
