Overview
- The Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office indicted Masashi Tanimoto on December 11 on counts including murder, Anti-Stalking Law violations and trespass.
- Prosecutors say the 24-year-old victim was stabbed multiple times in her apartment building elevator on the evening of August 20.
- Investigators report the suspect purchased the petty knife used in the attack in Kobe earlier that day.
- Police say he followed the woman from at least two days before the killing, including tailing her commute and watching her workplace.
- Tanimoto admitted stabbing her but told investigators he was unsure about intent to kill and said he brandished the knife to make her obey before stabbing when she screamed.