Overview
- Police arrested Tatsuya Suzuki, 33, an Asahiyama Zoo worker, on suspicion of mutilating a corpse after he told officers he burned his wife’s body at work.
- Investigators searched the zoo’s incinerator based on his account and say they found what appear to be human remains.
- The incinerator is normally used to cremate dead animals from the municipal zoo, which helped police focus their search.
- Officers say Suzuki brought the body into the zoo and he also made statements that suggest he killed his wife, so they are examining motive and considering a murder charge.
- The zoo postponed its seasonal opening during the probe and the city’s mayor apologized and said the municipality will fully cooperate with police.