Osaka Prefectural Police arrested a 51-year-old man on Monday on suspicion of fatally stabbing his ex-wife at an apartment complex in the city of Osaka.
The suspect, Tadashi Hashino, whose occupation is unknown, denied the allegations, stating, “I don’t remember if I killed my ex-wife.”
Police allege that around 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, Hashino attacked his ex-wife, Miho Hashino, 52, in a shared hallway on the third floor of the apartment building where she lived. She suffered multiple stab wounds, particularly to her left chest, leading to what is believed to be death from blood loss.
Her body bore approximately 30 injuries, including cuts and stab wounds that suggest she tried to fight off her attacker. A forensic autopsy is set to determine the exact cause of death.
According to investigators, a knife and clothing with what appeared to be bloodstains were recovered from the suspect’s home in the city of Matsubara, Osaka Prefecture.
The couple divorced more than 20 years ago. Authorities are currently investigating the possibility of prior conflicts and other details surrounding the incident.
Translated by The Japan Times