Japanese mother, 37, allegedly strangled daughter, 5, kept body in freezer for days

A 37-year-old woman in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murdering her five-year-old daughter.

The girl's body was discovered inside a freezer in the house after the woman told the police that her child was missing.

The incident

According to police statements reported by Japanese news outlets, the suspect, Yoko Kawaguchi, allegedly strangled her daughter, Shoko, at their home in Kakegawa City.

She then placed her body in a freezer, where it is believed to have remained for several days.

The pair had been living alone at the time of the incident.

Investigators said an autopsy found hand and arm impressions on the girl’s neck, consistent with manual strangulation, and confirmed the cause of death as suffocation, according to The Mainichi.

No other major external injuries were observed.

Discovery of body

The case came to light on Sep. 16, when Kawaguchi veered her car off a road.

When police officers responded to the accident, she told them her daughter was missing.

Officers subsequently visited the family’s home and discovered the child’s body stored in the freezer, reported Japan Today.

Re-arrested

Kawaguchi was arrested on Oct. 22 on suspicion of abandoning a body.

Following further forensic analysis and investigative interviews, police obtained a fresh warrant and re-arrested her on Nov. 12 on suspicion of murder, according to Japan Today.

She was referred to prosecutors on Nov. 14 to face formal charges.

Neighbours said Kawaguchi had been living with her father, husband and Shoko until around mid-summer, but by Sep. 16, her husband and father were no longer residing with her.

Shizuoka prefectural police are continuing to examine the circumstances leading up to the death, including the motive, which remains unclear.

Top images via Sankei Shimbun and Pixabay (for illustrative purposes)