Fujiyoshi Shindo, 93, died in the northern Akita prefecture, in Japan, with his son claiming he had been attacked by a bear – but now he has been arrested on suspicion of murder
A son has now been arrested on murder charges in a shocking twist after an elderly man was believed to have died in a bear attack.
An investigation was launched by police after Fujiyoshi Shindo, 93, died in the northern Akita prefecture, in Japan, on Monday. He was found bleeding by his wife at their home and his son Fujiyuki Shindo, 51, told detectives he had been attacked by a bear in Daisen city leading to a warning over the animals in the area.
Bears have increasingly wandered into built-up areas of northern Japan due to a reduction of their natural habitat. But the bear warning sent out by email was withdrawn after the investigation found that the injuries were likely to have been caused by a knife.
READ MORE: BT warning for anyone who still has UK landline in their homeREAD MORE: Best and worst GP surgeries across the UK named – check your area
The son of the victim who lived with his parents had said that he didn’t notice anything unusual at the home at the time of the incident, which reportedly appeared strange to detectives and since then several knives from the house have been taken away as part of the investigation.
Fujiyuki Shindo has been charged with murder but no motive has yet been given for why he would have killed his father, reported Kyodo News.
The case has received plenty of attention in Japan due to the initial belief that it was a bear that had killed the 93-year-old and it sparked fear in the local community.
In the 12 months to March 2024, a record 219 people were attacked by bears – and six of them died, Japan’s Environment Ministry said.
A 52-year-old newspaper deliveryman was killed by a brown bear in a residential area of Fukushima, in July, and a man in his 70s was attacked near a school in Nasushiobara City, causing neck and head wounds, but he survived.
The spate of attacks led to a drill organised by police where people were given advice on how to react if they are approached by the animal. The demonstration took place in Tochigi Prefecture, around 60 miles north of Tokyo.
In the drill, a man is seen wearing a bear costume as he runs and chases police armed with shields and helmets while there was also first aid advice.
The National Park Service (NPS) shares guidelines with park visitors on its website on best practices in a bear encounter. “Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal,” says the NPS site. “Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms.”