Police confirm river body is suspect in Hyogo double murder
Authorities in Tatsuno City have verified that a body found in a local river on June 3 belongs to Kenji Oyama, the man wanted for the killing of a mother and daughter earlier in May.
Police in Hyogo Prefecture have confirmed that a male body discovered in a river in Tatsuno City on June 3 belongs to Kenji Oyama, a 42-year-old suspect wanted in connection with a double murder. The identification was made after authorities determined that the trousers found on the body matched those belonging to the suspect.
Oyama was under active investigation for the killing of a 74-year-old woman and her 52-year-old daughter, which occurred earlier in May within the same city. The confirmation marks a significant development in the case, effectively ending the manhunt for the primary suspect in the crime.
The National Police Agency has been involved in the identification procedures surrounding the discovery. While forensic methods such as DNA or fingerprint analysis are standard in such cases, the initial confirmation relied on the match of clothing. This approach suggests a preliminary verification that aligns with the specific details provided by local law enforcement.
The body was found in the river on June 3, prompting immediate formal identification protocols. Police treated the discovery as a critical link to the double murder investigation, given the suspect’s status as a wanted individual in the case. The timing of the discovery, just weeks after the initial crimes, has drawn attention to the investigation’s progression.
NHK News Japan reported the confirmation on June 4, 2026, at 06:24. The report highlighted the clothing-based identification as the primary method used to establish the identity of the deceased. This detail underscores the procedural steps taken by authorities to resolve the high-profile case.
The incident remains distinct from other regional news, including weather warnings for linear rainbands in Tokushima Prefecture or unrelated crime cases in Hokkaido. The focus remains squarely on the resolution of the Hyogo double murder investigation and the status of the suspect.
As the investigation concludes, authorities are likely to review the full circumstances surrounding Oyama’s death and the events leading to the double murder. The case has highlighted the importance of rapid identification and coordination between local police and national agencies in resolving serious criminal matters.
