Investigators on April 14 search the scene where the body of Yuki Adachi was found in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture. (Provided by Asahi Television Broadcasting Corp.)
NANTAN, Kyoto Prefecture—A body discovered in a wooded area here was identified as Yuki Adachi, an 11-year-old boy who had been missing for three weeks, investigators said April 14.
The body was identified through an autopsy, but the cause of death has not been revealed.
Kyoto prefectural police suspect the boy was a victim of foul play.
They said they found no stabbing or other wounds caused by a sharp objects on the body.
The body was found on the evening of April 13 in the Sonobe district of Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, between Adachi’s home and Sonobe Elementary School, which he attended.
A search team discovered the body lying face up on the ground. There were no signs of attempts to conceal the body, as it was not covered with soil or other materials, investigative sources said.
Based on its condition, police estimate Adachi died in late March.
The body was wearing a dark navy fleece jacket over a sweatshirt with the number “84” on the chest, along with beige trousers and socks, but no shoes.
The clothing, which appeared undamaged, is consistent with what Adachi was wearing when he disappeared on March 23, sources said.
In response to the discovery of the body, Sonobe Elementary School was temporarily closed on April 14.
The Nantan city board of education said the “extraordinary event” could cause “great anxiety” among the students, and that it is considering bolstering the school’s counseling services.
According to police, Adachi’s father said he dropped off the boy at an after-school care facility on the school grounds on the morning of March 23.
However, Asachi was marked absent when his homeroom teacher took attendance, and no security footage has been found of him since his disappearance.
His yellow school bag was discovered on March 29 in a mountainous area about 3 kilometers from the school.
On April 12, a pair of children’s shoes was found in another location, and police are conducting DNA tests to determine if they are connected to the case.
AloJapan.com