Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"This is the story of the set a guy a family murders." — Ashley Flowers
"The killer left the murder weapon or weapons right there at the scene." — Britt
"And here's the thing about the skate park. According to the ABC News Australia article that I mentioned earlier, the park was getting ready to expand. And as a result, the family had actually been paid to vacate their house." — Britt
The episode recounts the shocking discovery of the Miyazawa family – Mikio, Yasuko, Nina, and Rey – murdered in their Setagaya, Tokyo home on New Year's Eve 2000. The meticulous detail of the crime scene, including the placement of bodies, signs of struggle, and the perpetrator's unusual actions such as eating ice cream and attempting to clean up, painted a picture of a prolonged and brutal attack. Initial investigations focused on the overwhelming forensic evidence left behind, including the killer's blood type (Type A) and fingerprints found on various items, including ice cream wrappers and the murder weapons. However, these leads proved insufficient as the prints and DNA did not match anyone in existing databases, suggesting a perpetrator with no prior felony convictions or a first-time offender.
The investigation delved into various theories, including robbery, given that the family had recently received a significant payout for vacating their home for a park expansion. The presence of cash missing from the household account book further fueled this motive. However, other evidence, such as clothing items, a bag with sand from the southwestern United States, and traces of specific cologne, suggested a more complex scenario. Theories ranged from a disturbed individual to a hired hitman, with some evidence, including DNA markers and shoe soil, pointing towards a Korean connection, possibly a former South Korean army member. The complexity of the case was compounded by the apparent disorganization or errors in the initial police response, including a potentially missed lead regarding a witness who saw a man with a bloody hand.
Despite extensive efforts, including the deployment of a significant portion of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police force and the processing of thousands of tips over two decades, the Setagaya family murders remain officially unsolved. The perpetrator has never been arrested or publicly identified. The episode highlights the profound impact of the crime on the surviving family members, particularly Mikio's mother, who at 89 years old, still seeks the truth. The enduring mystery serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in criminal investigations and the lasting pain of unresolved violent crimes.