KYOTO - The body discovered in a forested area of Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, on April 12th has been identified as that of Adachi Yuki, an 11-year-old elementary school student who had been missing since March 23rd, with authorities saying the cause of death remains unknown.
Adachi, a sixth-grade student at Sonobe Elementary School, was reported missing after he was last seen on March 23rd, when he was dropped off near his school by his father. Despite an extensive search effort involving police and local volunteers, his whereabouts remained unknown for nearly three weeks.
His body was found shortly before 5 p.m. on April 12th in a mountainous forest area approximately 2 kilometers southwest of his school, during an ongoing search operation. The area is known for its steep terrain, limited visibility, and lack of street lighting, conditions that local residents have said would make it difficult for a child to enter alone.
A judicial autopsy conducted on April 13th determined that the time of death is believed to have been in late March, though the exact cause could not be established.
Police said no wounds caused by a sharp weapon were found on the body and added that, at this stage, they cannot immediately conclude that the case involves criminal activity.
Earlier in the search, a black shoe believed to belong to Adachi had been discovered in a separate mountain area near the site where the body was later found, although investigators noted that the body was not wearing shoes at the time of discovery. Police are continuing DNA testing and forensic analysis to further confirm details surrounding the case.
Authorities said they will continue to investigate the circumstances of Adachi’s death, including how he came to be in the mountainous area, and have indicated that if evidence suggesting criminal involvement emerges, a full investigative task force will be established.
Source: TBS
