tragic Forced Suicide: Father and Daughter Found Dead in Nara Dam Lake
Last July, a heartbreaking incident unfolded in Shimokitayama Village, Nara Prefecture, when the bodies of a 52-year-old father and his 5-year-old daughter were discovered in a dam lake. Police later steadfast that the father, who had been raising his daughter alone, had attempted a forced suicide. The father, suspected of murdering his daughter, was sent to the prosecutor’s office as a suspect.
A Cry for Help: Father’s desperate Plea
Just before his death, the father reached out to a child consultation center, stating, “It’s mentally exhausting. I want you to take care of my child.” This plea came on July 21, 2023, when the single father, residing in municipal housing in Naniwa Ward, Osaka City, called the child abuse hotline. According to the Child Guidance Center, the father expressed his struggles with raising his daughter and admitted to considering suicide.
Despite the center’s efforts to engage him further, the father abruptly ended the conversation, saying, “Enough is enough.” Staff members repeatedly called him,urging him to visit the counseling center,but he responded with excuses like,“I’m renting a car to get around,” before eventually ceasing dialog altogether.
The Tragic Night: A Forced Suicide
Around midnight on July 22, the father and daughter were last seen alive. The next morning,their bodies were found floating in the dam lake near Maeoni Bridge on National Route 169. The father had rented a car, which was discovered parked near the bridge. Inside the vehicle, authorities found the daughter’s clothes, insurance card, and My Number card.
An autopsy revealed that the daughter died from respiratory failure due to a broken neck, while the father suffered multiple fractures and died from drowning.Investigators concluded that the father had jumped from the bridge with his daughter in his arms, leading police to classify the incident as a forced suicide.
A Family’s Refusal: The final Blow
In his final days, the father had also approached his elderly parents, both in their 80s, asking them to take care of his daughter. However,they refused,leaving him with no apparent support system. This refusal, coupled with his mental exhaustion, may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
Key Details of the Incident
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Date of Incident | July 22, 2023 |
| Location | Maeoni Bridge, Shimokitayama Village, Nara Prefecture |
| Victims | 52-year-old father and 5-year-old daughter |
| Cause of Death | Daughter: Respiratory failure (broken neck); Father: Drowning and fractures|
| Classification | Forced suicide |
This devastating case highlights the immense pressures faced by single parents and the critical need for accessible mental health and childcare support systems. For more facts on how to support individuals in crisis, visit resources like child consultation centers and mental health hotlines.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community and family support in preventing such heartbreaking outcomes./images/svg/picture.svg”/>
