Man Arrested for Body Abandonment in Oita; Victim Suspected to Be Missing Teenager

Police in Oita Prefecture have arrested a 58-year-old man on suspicion of abandoning the body of a missing teenage girl in a mountainous area. The arrest follows the discovery of a body on April 12, 2026, which investigators believe belongs to a girl in her late teens who had been missing since early March.

The suspect, identified as Tadafumi Himeno, whose occupation is unknown, was arrested by Oita City police early Sunday morning. The arrest occurred after a police search, guided by Himeno’s own statements, led to the discovery of a body at approximately 1:20 p.m. On April 12.

Discovery of the Body

The body was located on a cliff in a mountainous region of Bungo-Ono City, situated near the border with Miyazaki Prefecture. Authorities are currently working to confirm the identity of the deceased and the exact cause of death.

Investigators believe the body is that of a teenage girl who was reported missing by her family on March 4, 2026. According to reports, the girl was last seen leaving her home at 11:30 p.m. On March 2, 2026.

Investigation and Suspect Statements

The investigation into the missing person led police to Himeno, who was detained on Saturday, April 11, before his formal arrest on Sunday. Police allege that Himeno abandoned the unidentified corpse in the Bungo-Ono City area in early March.

According to police announcements, Himeno has largely admitted to the allegation of abandoning the body. Investigators state that Himeno has made statements hinting that he killed her.