OSAKA —
Police in Sakai, Osaka, said Tuesday that an 86-year-old man who set fire to himself and jumped in a pond is being questioned about the murder of an 89-year-old woman who lived nextdoor to him.
According to police, Chikako Kimura was found by her 53-year-old son at around 6:40 p.m. Monday, Fuji TV reported. Police said Kimura was lying face-up on her bed with numerous knife wounds to her chest and stomach. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Police said Kimura was found in her dressing gown, and that no weapon or signs of a struggle or any other disturbance were found in the apartment.
On Tuesday at around 5:30 a.m., Kimura’s neighbor went to a nearby pond, set fire to himself and then jumped in. He was taken to hospital where he is in a stable condition.
He was quoted by police as saying he was having some trouble with Kimura. Police said they plan to issue an arrest warrant after he recovers.