Japan - Miyazawa family of 4 murdered, Setagaya, Tokyo, 30 Dec 2000

[Oakie]

Thanks for the post, Oakie. I can't dispute any of it beyond saying that after long conversations with Lorna Dawson, it sounds as if it *is* possible. Certainly, she's been involved in 100s of criminal cases where she brings to bear her expertise in this field. She is adamant that the TMPD could tell the difference between soil from the Miura Peninsula and that found near Edwards in the Mojave.

That's the point. It's much easier to rule a place out (Miura Peninsula, in this case) than to rule a place in (vicinity of Edwards AFB).

 

[FacelessPodcast]

That's the point. It's much easier to rule a place out (Miura Peninsula, in this case) than to rule a place in (vicinity of Edwards AFB).

and where exactly the concept of Edwards ever came from, nobody knows. Not even the Chief seemed to know (or would not say). I’m assuming there had to be some kind of reason this ever cropped up in the first place, though. The TMPD could find out whether or not this soil was local or not, according to Lorna. What good reasons stand against doing so?

 

[Oakie]

and where exactly the concept of Edwards ever came from, nobody knows. Not even the Chief seemed to know (or would not say). I’m assuming there had to be some kind of reason this ever cropped up in the first place, though. The TMPD could find out whether or not this soil was local or not, according to Lorna. What good reasons stand against doing so?

Because of what I posted above. The list of minerals that will comprise that sand isn't infinite. A relatively small number of common minerals will comprise the bulk of their sample. And if the sample consisted of a few grains in the pocket of a backpack or jacket, it probably would have been too small to provide statistically significant results anyway.

I haven't seen the data showing the composition of their sample, but I'd bet that, if I was presented with it, I could come up with other areas of the world where those minerals could be found. As I said before, an area might be ruled out, but it's difficult to rule an area in, unless the area exhibits very rare minerals (or common minerals with rare isotopes).

I'd say that, barring a verifiable confession, DNA tracing will be the only pathway to solving this case.

Edited to add: Understand, that a desert is not a homogenous space. There are different landforms on the landscape. There will be alluvial deposits, sometimes dunes, and various other landforms. The sand fraction may be quite different on one landform as compared to that on another landform. No small sample will provide a black-and-white answer (unless, as I say, it contains very rare materials that are unique to one area).

 

[Charlot123]

Thanks for the post, Oakie. I can't dispute any of it beyond saying that after long conversations with Lorna Dawson, it sounds as if it *is* possible. Certainly, she's been involved in 100s of criminal cases where she brings to bear her expertise in this field. She is adamant that the TMPD could tell the difference between soil from the Miura Peninsula and that found near Edwards in the Mojave.

I believe that Tokyo police know. They look into the quartz composition, the radioactivity, and the specific minerals. What is interesting: the sand in the perp's hip bag was from Mojave, the sand in his pockets, from Japanese coast, where 2 years ago Miyazawa's family stayed in a hotel. If Tokyo LE believe there was some connection with California, I trust them.

@FacelessPodcast, is there any way to find what Mikio did for the theater? What kind of a theater it was? Kabuki or modern?

(Kabuki would be interesting, they have trapdoors, perhaps Mikio recreated something of the type in own house? That could explain leaving to traces of entry or exit.)

And did he work with costumes, or wigs, or masks/makeup?

You have mentioned the name of the theater, but I lost it and don't know how to find.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Because of what I posted above. The list of minerals that will comprise that sand isn't infinite. A relatively small number of common minerals will comprise the bulk of their sample. And if the sample consisted of a few grains in the pocket of a backpack or jacket, it probably would have been too small to provide statistically significant results anyway.

I haven't seen the data showing the composition of their sample, but I'd bet that, if I was presented with it, I could come up with other areas of the world where those minerals could be found. As I said before, an area might be ruled out, but it's difficult to rule an area in, unless the area exhibits very rare minerals (or common minerals with rare isotopes).

I'd say that, barring a verifiable confession, DNA tracing will be the only pathway to solving this case.

I appreciate your explanations, Oakie. With all respect, Lorna is adamant that it IS possible to identify the origin of soil. Though I don't have the science to debate this further you, I'm afraid.

How much soil was left in the killer's bag, I don't know. But doing a deep dive last night, we finally made an important finding on this. Articles from as far back as 2009 have national newspapers saying there was BOTH sand from Miura and Edwards / Mojave on the killer's items. The former in his jacket, the latter in his bag. And they're reporting this on the back of TMPD briefings so we can take it as gospel. This is important to me because for years, the concept of the sand was up in the air. The TMPD may have gone quiet on it back back in 09', they weren't. Strange the detail is not on their casefile on the TMPD website.

And I would also respectfully disagree about your final point. I can't go into detail as it will form the basis of my next podcast but the killer didn't leave behind ONLY DNA...

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Respectfully snipped.

Has TMPD ever quantified the amount of the killer's blood that was found, beyond saying it was a lot?

We know the killer was active in the house. Ransacking, searching, desecrating, etc. If the killer was struggling to stop the bleeding, any kind of activity would risk starting it again.

Unless the killer *had to* search through the documents for some reason, it does seem a risky and unnecessary thing to do given their known condition. It must have increased their pain and blood loss substantially, but something drove them to do it.

No, they have not. From the sounds of it, his right hand was badly injured whereas his left hand wasn't as grave. We can assume this from him eating the ice cream cups with his left hand, so on.

And the point about risky and unnecessary -- very much agree. But then so many of his actions are in that vein.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

I believe that Tokyo police know. They look into the quartz composition, the radioactivity, and the specific minerals. What is interesting: the sand in the perp's hip bag was from Mojave, the sand in his pockets, from Japanese coast, where 2 years ago Miyazawa's family stayed in a hotel. If Tokyo LE believe there was some connection with California, I trust them.

@FacelessPodcast, is there any way to find what Mikio did for the theater? What kind of a theater it was? Kabuki or modern?

(Kabuki would be interesting, they have trapdoors, perhaps Mikio recreated something of the type in own house? That could explain leaving to traces of entry or exit.)

And did he work with costumes, or wigs, or masks/makeup?

You have mentioned the name of the theater, but I lost it and don't know how to find.

Agree, Charlot. They certainly briefed the press on it years back. I don't believe they would have given origins to the soil or sand in his bag casually. Now, HOW they know the origins, I am unsure. But there are US military bases in both places. Another coincidence, it seems. Our killer seems so fond of those...

RE: Mikio's past in theatre. I do believe he had some involvement in college. It's almost certain he had paint that contained rodamine in his garage -- the one room the killer never enters. And yet the killer had traces of that in his bag too. If we could, for example, establish some kind of connection to a workshop, this case is solved.

From simple inference, I don't think Mikio was actively involved in theatre at the time of his death. It seems his time was dedicated to his work and family. And from what I understand, kabuki is more of a lifelong profession, though I suppose if he volunteered behind the scenes, such a thing is possible. But this paint could have come from anything, wouldn't even have to be something creative. They could have met at a hardware shop, at an aviation show, at a climbing gym etc.

Finally, Mikio had a theatre group on his favourites tabs. That's the only thing we know (and even this I am not 100%). There is some suggestion the killer clicked on this tab. That's as far as it goes. But that suggestion is nebulous and the police certainly don't mention it...

 

[Oakie]

I appreciate your explanations, Oakie. With all respect, Lorna is adamant that it IS possible to identify the origin of soil. Though I don't have the science to debate this further you, I'm afraid.

How much soil was left in the killer's bag, I don't know. But doing a deep dive last night, we finally made an important finding on this. Articles from as far back as 2009 have national newspapers saying there was BOTH sand from Miura and Edwards / Mojave on the killer's items. The former in his jacket, the latter in his bag. And they're reporting this on the back of TMPD briefings so we can take it as gospel. This is important to me because for years, the concept of the sand was up in the air. The TMPD may have gone quiet on it back back in 09', they weren't. Strange the detail is not on their casefile on the TMPD website.

And I would also respectfully disagree about your final point. I can't go into detail as it will form the basis of my next podcast but the killer didn't leave behind ONLY DNA...

One thing we have not discussed, is the possibility that there was something inside the sand sample, besides sand. For example, pollen from the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia). Its presence would point strongly to the Mojave desert, however, it still does not isolate Edwards AFB, as the Joshua tree is also found in Nevada, Arizona, and even a small part of Utah. Without seeing the data derived from the sample, it's all just speculation.

Imagination conjures possibilities for your last point. I can see, for example, that if the killer had made a significant slice on his own hand, and left a clear bloody palm-print at the scene, that print could be compared to a scar on his hand. Again, such scenarios are just speculation in advance of access to evidence.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

One thing we have not discussed, is the possibility that there was something inside the sand sample, besides sand. For example, pollen from the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia). Its presence would point strongly to the Mojave desert, however, it still does not isolate Edwards AFB, as the Joshua tree is also found in Nevada, Arizona, and even a small part of Utah. Without seeing the data derived from the sample, it's all just speculation.

Imagination conjures possibilities for your last point. I can see, for example, that if the killer had made a significant slice on his own hand, and left a clear bloody palm-print at the scene, that print could be compared to a scar on his hand. Again, such scenarios are just speculation in advance of access to evidence.

Yes, and the TMPD will never share DNA, soil etc -- unless I'm very wrong. My feeling is that it's more like an external tip to them that leads to movement in this case.

I wish I could say more re: your last point! Let's just say, very warm...

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

Yes, and the TMPD will never share DNA, soil etc -- unless I'm very wrong. My feeling is that it's more like an external tip to them that leads to movement in this case.

I wish I could say more re: your last point! Let's just say, very warm...

Thank you again for answering our questions.

Presumably the gloves left behind by the killer would tell a story if a POI had scars matching the damage to the gloves?

I'm also puzzled that anyone, even close family, can say they don't think anything was taken. All four people who lived in the house were slain, and I find it hard to believe anyone else would know *everything* that should have been there.

I live in a house with three other people, and although there are some obvious items that I'd notice were missing, there are hundreds of smaller things I probably wouldn't notice had gone. And that's in *my own* house!

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Thank you again for answering our questions.

Presumably the gloves left behind by the killer would tell a story if a POI had scars matching the damage to the gloves?

I'm also puzzled that anyone, even close family, can say they don't think anything was taken. All four people who lived in the house were slain, and I find it hard to believe anyone else would know *everything* that should have been there.

I live in a house with three other people, and although there are some obvious items that I'd notice were missing, there are hundreds of smaller things I probably wouldn't notice had gone. And that's in *my own* house!

My pleasure! And yes, definitely. My picture is that the right glove was carrying a big gash and was filled with blood.

As for how the family next door know nothing is missing, I can't answer. I presume the TMPD had a method for this, some kind of room by room inventory or going off the killer's ransacking pattern. They knew the killer had taken one of the Mikio's shirts (obvious seeing as his own was left behind) and they worked out which one. But I can't rule out mistakes here...

 

[Charlot123]

My pleasure! And yes, definitely. My picture is that the right glove was carrying a big gash and was filled with blood.

As for how the family next door know nothing is missing, I can't answer. I presume the TMPD had a method for this, some kind of room by room inventory or going off the killer's ransacking pattern. They knew the killer had taken one of the Mikio's shirts (obvious seeing as his own was left behind) and they worked out which one. But I can't rule out mistakes here...

Either the murderer was looking for something small (what can be hidden in torn paper?), and it can be anything, I mean, a gem, a ring, a photo, a microphoto... or, he simply didn't care whether he left traces or not, because he planned to set the house on fire? Something prevented him from doing it, either own wound, or difficulty escaping in such a case, or maybe he realized he won't run too far away before the police would come, but makes me wonder if he came with a more thought-out plan. One reason he left so many traces is because his ultimate idea was different, he didn't think there'd be any traces left.

I think that either his wound or something else precluded it. One wonders. Maybe he found what he came for.

ETA: so let us imagine...if it is something personal. I am not sure but imagine. He comes to retrieve something that may threaten him (I can only guess, how). He wants to slide in, but ends up waking people up and killing them. After that, he goes through documents. Then, through torn paper. Then, he dumps it into bathroom...this something is either small but heavy, so he'll hear, or it looks different. Did they still use Polaroid in Japan in 2001? Some of the family photos look as if made by the Polaroid. A Polaroid photo stands out. Anyhow - something tiny but incriminating for the perp.

I think that he found it. And left the moment he did. Had he not, he'd set it all on fire.

What do you make out of different age brackets provided by the police, @FacelessPodcast?

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Either the murderer was looking for something small (what can be hidden in torn paper?), and it can be anything, I mean, a gem, a ring, a photo, a microphoto... or, he simply didn't care whether he left traces or not, because he planned to set the house on fire? Something prevented him from doing it, either own wound, or difficulty escaping in such a case, or maybe he realized he won't run too far away before the police would come, but makes me wonder if he came with a more thought-out plan. One reason he left so many traces is because his ultimate idea was different, he didn't think there'd be any traces left.

I think that either his wound or something else precluded it. One wonders. Maybe he found what he came for.

ETA: so let us imagine...if it is something personal. I am not sure but imagine. He comes to retrieve something that may threaten him (I can only guess, how). He wants to slide in, but ends up waking people up and killing them. After that, he goes through documents. Then, through torn paper. Then, he dumps it into bathroom...this something is either small but heavy, so he'll hear, or it looks different. Did they still use Polaroid in Japan in 2001? Some of the family photos look as if made by the Polaroid. A Polaroid photo stands out. Anyhow - something tiny but incriminating for the perp.

I think that he found it. And left the moment he did. Had he not, he'd set it all on fire.

What do you make out of different age brackets provided by the police, @FacelessPodcast?

He may have taken something from the house, he may not. Remember that by the point of leaving, he was now only wearing trousers and a sweatshirt so likely limited to pockets on the former. We can speculate on what he might or might not have taken but as it stands, it's SOME money (leaving a fair chunk by the PC) and Mikio's sweatshirt.

As for burning down the house -- why? He clearly wasn't bothered about evidence left behind. He probably was to begin with given the lengths he goes to conceal his identity but the second he cuts himself open and takes his gloves off (they're actually quite bulky and probably got in his way), he must have realised there was no point in trying to hide his evidence. That to me tells me he knows he has a way out but he didn't plan on leaving the evidence to begin with. We know that this killer is able to pivot though. As David Canter said, what kind of burglar enters the house, begins immediately murdering a child, injuries himself pretty badly, and DOESN'T flee? That would suggest burglary wasn't his motive / taking something from the house wasn't his motive. We can extrapolate from this that removing some little trinket from the house that would link him to the family feels unlikely -- at least to me. I don't think the TMPD would assure us that he took nothing if they had doubts about this.

I feel like these murders were intensely personal. I mean, they have to be. But whether or not the Miyazawas were actually directly responsible for such rage, I am unsure. My gut tells me no or the TMPD would have found him. I think he was merely taking his rage out on them, knowing he could and knowing he would disappear afterwards. Which he did.

As for the revising of the age, I have my worries about this. It can't be based on merely traces of highlighter pen or that would be ridiculous. But I'm betting they know more. The fact that they actually revised this downwards feels significant. It also tells me they are actively investigating...

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Also, some fairly big news to follow...

 

[FacelessPodcast]

"Setagaya Family Murders: Sand from Murderer's Belongings Resembles that of U.S. Air Force Base2009.12.14 Evening Edition, page 13, Social page (552 characters)　　

In December 2000, four members of the family of Mikio Miyazawa, then 44, a company employee, were murdered in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. On April 14, the Seijo Police Department's Investigation Division released information on the remains, including the previously undisclosed results of an analysis of the dye and bird feces, and called for the provision of information.　

According to investigators, Edwards Air Force Base is located in the southwestern part of the 35,000-square-kilometer Mojave Desert, which straddles the states of California, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. The sand in the eastern part of the base is unique in the Mojave Desert, and it is highly likely that the sand from the remains was found here. The hip bag is of domestic origin, and the investigation team believes that the perpetrator or someone in the vicinity visited the area near the base.

At last, concrete confirmation. This is from a newspaper with the third largest circulation in Japan I believe.

 

[fridaybaker]

If I’m reading that right, though, this was published in 2009?

 

[FacelessPodcast]

If I’m reading that right, though, this was published in 2009?

Yes

 

[fridaybaker]

I think your case around a certain individual is slowly, but relentlessly, tightening down.

And I add this: I'm sure you have doubts, and I'm sure there's a possibility that you're wrong, but: It has to be someone. So far, it certainly doesn't seem like anyone else is on the radar. If the TMPD had someone else in their sights, or if the evidence pointed to another person, I have to believe that you'd have at least an inkling? As much as you've been tracking and studying this case, you'd almost certainly have the tiniest of clues if there were someone else who fit the bill? At least that's what I'm thinking.

There is someone, somewhere, who did this. Your suspect is beginning, more and more, to come into focus.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

I think your case around a certain individual is slowly, but relentlessly, tightening down.

And I add this: I'm sure you have doubts, and I'm sure there's a possibility that you're wrong, but: It has to be someone. So far, it certainly doesn't seem like anyone else is on the radar. If the TMPD had someone else in their sights, or if the evidence pointed to another person, I have to believe that you'd have at least an inkling? As much as you've been tracking and studying this case, you'd almost certainly have the tiniest of clues if there were someone else who fit the bill? At least that's what I'm thinking.

There is someone, somewhere, who did this. Your suspect is beginning, more and more, to come into focus.

Thank you, friday. Appreciate your sentiments.

My feeling is that the TMPD has nothing. That's not to detract from their efforts, I know they work on this tirelessly. Just for whatever reason, I don't think they've looked that much beyond their borders. But happy to be wrong on this.

Either my POI is actually the killer, or that he's just very unlucky and innocent. If the latter, it was worth a shot. Because that's one more suspect than the TMPD has ever had. (At least publicly). Either way, I'm going to find out.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Btw, as I’m putting my pitch together, does anyone have suggestions for the pseudonym I use for my POI?

“John Doe” is a little dry