Police believe zookeeper Tatsuya Suzuki, 33, took his wife’s body to the wildlife park before burning it in the animal crematorium in Japan, where parts of her remains were found
A zookeeper has been arrested after allegedly putting his wife inside an animal incinerator.
Police believe Tatsuya Suzuki transported his wife’s body to the wildlife park in Asahikawa, Japan, before burning it in the animal crematorium. Suzuki, 33, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of mutilating a corpse.
Relatives said his wife, Yui Suzuki, was reported missing on April 23 after they lost contact with her in late March. That same day, police contacted the zoo and asked to speak with Suzuki, who agreed to be questioned on a voluntary basis.
They later recovered parts of the 33-year-old’s remains after Suzuki reportedly admitted: “I disposed of my wife’s body in the incinerator.”
Suzuki and his wife lived together in Asahikawa. Before the incident, he is believed to have told her: “I’ll burn you completely so nothing remains.”
Police have now launched a probe to determine whether he killed his wife and are working to establish a motive. During questioning, Suzuki is said to have hinted at involvement in her death, with authorities now considering a possible murder charge.
After his arrest, a local man described Suzuki as “quiet”, telling local media: “He often walked the dog with his wife, and they seemed like a close couple.”
Asahiyama Zoo – one of Japan’s most visited attractions – temporarily closed in preparation for summer and had been due to reopen on April 29. But this was delayed until May 1 due to the police investigation.
A statement on the zoo’s website read: “We regret to inform you that a city employee is currently being questioned by the police on suspicion of involvement in a serious incident.
“We sincerely apologize for the worry and inconvenience we have caused everyone. The police are currently conducting an investigation, and our facility will fully cooperate with the investigation. Our park has been preparing to open for the summer season as scheduled, starting on the 29th of this month.
“However, while cooperating with the investigation, we are now in a situation where we will need a little more time to prepare to welcome everyone as usual. For this reason, we will be temporarily closed on April 29th and 30th, and will reopen on May 1st.”
