Japanese Serial Killer Tsutomu Miyazaki

Tsutomu Miyazaki, who is also known as the “Otaku Murderer,” was a Japanese serial killer who had murdered four young girls in late 1980s. Tsutomu Miyazaki was born in 1962. He was introvert and also had a troubled childhood. His father was emotionally abusive towards him.

Tsutomu Miyazaki started his killing spree by murdering a four-year-old girl earlier in 1988. Then He killed two other young girls and a four-year-old boy. He was also necrophile.

(Necrophilia is a pathological fascination with dead bodies, which frequently manifests as a desire to engage in sexual acts with them, such as intercourse.)

Tsutomu Miyazaki was finally caught in 1989 when he was trying to abduct a girl. During the trial, he showed no remorse at all for his crimes. He found guilty and sentenced to death. He hanged in 2008.

Miyazaki’s crimes shocked and horrified whole country and he is still remembered as one of the most notorious serial killers of Japan.

Forensic role in Tsutomu Miyazaki case

In the investigation and conviction of Tsutomu Miyazaki, forensic evidence was of utmost importance. The forensic evidence used in the case can be seen in the following examples:

1. DNA analysis: DNA samples from Miyazaki’s car and personal belongings were compared to the DNA found at the crime scenes, which linked him to the crimes.
2. Fiber analysis: Fiber samples found on the victims’ bodies and clothing were analyzed and compared to the fibers found in Miyazaki’s car and home, providing further evidence linking him to the crimes.
3. Autopsy: The autopsies of the victims provided valuable information about the cause and time of death, as well as evidence of sexual assault.
4. Footprint analysis: Footprints found at the crime scenes were compared to Miyazaki’s shoes, and it was determined that they matched.
5. Psychological profiling: Psychological profiling was also used to develop a profile of the culprit, which helped to narrow the suspect list.

Crime chronology

Here is a chronology of the crimes committed by Tsutomu Miyazaki:

1. August 22, 1988: Miyazaki kidnaps and murders 4-year-old Mari Konno. Her body is later found in a park in Hachioji, Tokyo.
2. October 3, 1988: Miyazaki abducts and murders 7-year-old Masami Yoshizawa. Her body is found in a forest in Tokyo.
3. December 12, 1988: Miyazaki kidnaps and murders 4-year-old Erika Nanba. Her body is later found in a cemetery in Saitama Prefecture.
4. June 6, 1989: Miyazaki kidnaps 5-year-old Ayako Nomoto, but she manages to escape.
5. July 23, 1989: Miyazaki abducts and murders 4-year-old Mutsumi Sugizaki. Her body is found in a cemetery in Tokyo.
6. July 27, 1989: Miyazaki is arrested after attempting to abduct another young girl.
7. September 30, 1990: Miyazaki is found guilty of all four murders, as well as various other charges related to the crimes.
8. June 17, 1997: Miyazaki’s death sentence is upheld by the Tokyo High Court.
9. January 14, 2001: Miyazaki’s appeal is rejected by the Supreme Court of Japan.
10. June 17, 2008: Miyazaki is executed by hanging in Tokyo.

What led his conviction?

There were several key factors that led to Tsutomu Miyazaki’s conviction. Some of the key evidences and factors that played a role in his conviction are mentioned following:

1. DNA evidence: DNA samples taken from Miyazaki’s car and personal belongings were compared to the DNA evidence found at the crime scenes. It played crucial role in conviction of Miyazaki.

Also Read: What is An Evidence?

2. Fiber evidence: The fibers were found on victims’ bodies and clothing and in Miyazaki’s car and home were matched, providing further evidence linking Miyazaki to the crimes.

3. Eyewitness Testimony: Witnesses testified to seeing Miyazaki with some of the victims around the time of their disappearances.

4. Confession: Miyazaki confessed to the murders and provided details about the crimes that only the killer would have known.

5. Psychiatric evaluation: Miyazaki underwent a psychiatric evaluation, which found him to be mentally competent and aware of the wrongfulness of his actions.

6. Profile analysis: Forensic psychologists provided a profile of the type of person who would commit these crimes, which helped investigators narrow down their suspect list and focus on Miyazaki.

Does Tsutomu Miyazaki confessed or show remorse?

When Tsutomu Miyazaki was apprehended, he firstly denied any part in the killings, but he later confessed and revealed facts about the murders that only the culprit would have known. Miyazaki displayed no remorse for his crimes throughout his trial, instead blaming his victims for “talking back to him” and “insulting” him, stating that this was why he murdered them.

Furthermore, Miyazaki’s lack of remorse and cool manner during his trial prompted many to label him a psychopath. Throughout the trial, he even grinned and chuckled at times, infuriating the victims’ relatives and the Japanese people.

Miyazaki was certain of his innocence right up until the point of his death, even though there was overwhelming proof against him. He never apologised for his actions or the agony and suffering he caused the victims and their families.

Tsutomu Miyazaki was known for his horrifying and brutal murdering techniques. He usually targeted young girls between the ages of four and seven, luring them away from their homes or playgrounds. When he had them he would abuse them sexually, torment them, and ultimately kill them. Miyazaki frequently used his bare hands or a rope to strangle his victims as this was his favourite manner of murder. He would also dismember and mutilate their bodies, retaining body pieces as mementos at times. In at least one case, he drank the blood of his victim. Miyazaki’s crimes were particularly disturbing because of their extreme violence and sadism, as well as the fact that he targeted such young and vulnerable victims. His behavior was indicative of a severe and deep-seated psychological disturbance, and he was ultimately diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.

Verdict of the case

Tsutomu Miyazaki was found guilty of the murders of four young girls, as well as the abduction and sexual assault of a fifth girl, and various other charges related to the crimes. He was sentenced to death by hanging.

The trial of Hayao Miyazaki began in 1990 and lasted many months. The trial was widely reported and drew great media attention in Japan as the facts of the killings and Miyazaki’s warped reasons were disclosed.

Miyazaki’s defense team argued that he was insane at the time of the crimes and hence not accountable for his acts. A psychological evaluation, however, revealed that he was mentally competent and aware of the wrongfulness of his acts.

In the end, there was a tonne of evidence against Miyazaki, including his own confession, DNA and fibre evidence, and eyewitness testimony. He was found guilty on all counts by the jury and sentenced to death. The Tokyo High Court confirmed the death sentence for Miyazaki in 1997. He appealed in Supreme Court but his appeal got dismissed in 2001. On June 17, 2008, he was executed by hanging.