Japanese couple found dead in resort

CEBU, Philippines - A Japanese couple was found dead inside their rented room in a beach resort in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday afternoon.

The couple was identified as Yukiko Ouchi, 84, a retired TV scriptwriter, and her husband, Takao Ouchi, 70, a former commercial director for a Japanese television.

They were residing at a pension house along Juana Osmeña Extension in barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City for the past nine years.

Personnel of the resort opened the couple’s room forcibly after the couple did not respond when a resort staff knocked on their door. The couple checked into the resort last Monday, February 22 and was scheduled to check out by midday yesterday.

Yukiko was found lying lifeless on the bed while Takao was found hanging from the door of the rest room. Both were dressed in casual clothes.

SPO2 Rolito Jumao-as, chief homicide investigator of the Lapu-Lapu police, said they ruled out foul play in the investigation after they found a suicide note inside the room. The note was reportedly written in Japanese.

The room was also reportedly well made and manifested no signs of forcible entry.

The note reportedly said that the couple agreed to end their lives because of health reasons. Yukiko was paralyzed and was already bed-ridden.

Jumao-as said it appeared that Takao strangled his wife with a rope, placed her on the bed, and later ended his own life by hanging himself on the door of the restroom.

Jumao-as said the couple might have been drinking the night before, as bottles of gin were found at the crime scene.

Yukiko reportedly tried to end her life last December by taking 14 tablets of sleeping pills. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)