Suspect in fatal Osaka mental clinic fire dies | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
![dpo-dps-seal](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/Seal_Image_OD.png)
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Suspect in fatal Osaka mental clinic fire dies
Suspect in fatal Osaka mental clinic fire dies
Kyodo News
Published Dec 31, 2021 08:19 AM PHT
![Clipboard](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/ClipboardNews.png)
OSAKA - The suspect in a fatal fire at a mental health clinic in Osaka earlier this month died Thursday, police said.
OSAKA - The suspect in a fatal fire at a mental health clinic in Osaka earlier this month died Thursday, police said.
Morio Tanimoto, 61, suspected of murder and arson, remained in critical condition due to carbon monoxide poisoning from the Dec. 17 fire that killed 25 others.
Morio Tanimoto, 61, suspected of murder and arson, remained in critical condition due to carbon monoxide poisoning from the Dec. 17 fire that killed 25 others.
All 25 victims have been identified, including the clinic's director, Kotaro Nishizawa, 49, according to the police. A total of 27 people, including Tanimoto, were taken to hospitals after the fire.
All 25 victims have been identified, including the clinic's director, Kotaro Nishizawa, 49, according to the police. A total of 27 people, including Tanimoto, were taken to hospitals after the fire.
The police will continue investigating, aiming to refer the case to prosecutors. However, the investigation may be prolonged as they can no longer question the suspect.
The police will continue investigating, aiming to refer the case to prosecutors. However, the investigation may be prolonged as they can no longer question the suspect.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tanimoto was a patient at the clinic. People who knew him have said he apparently lived a lonely life after going through a divorce and the deaths of family members and may have been suicidal.
Tanimoto was a patient at the clinic. People who knew him have said he apparently lived a lonely life after going through a divorce and the deaths of family members and may have been suicidal.
According to investigative sources, it was discovered that Tanimoto purchased around 10 liters of gasoline in late November and may have intended to copy a deadly 2019 arson attack on an animation studio in Kyoto, which also involved the purchase of gasoline ahead of time.
According to investigative sources, it was discovered that Tanimoto purchased around 10 liters of gasoline in late November and may have intended to copy a deadly 2019 arson attack on an animation studio in Kyoto, which also involved the purchase of gasoline ahead of time.
Security camera footage from the clinic showed the suspect placing a paper bag in front of the reception area, the sources said. He then crouched by the bag and moved his hand, after which fire was seen quickly rising to the ceiling.
Security camera footage from the clinic showed the suspect placing a paper bag in front of the reception area, the sources said. He then crouched by the bag and moved his hand, after which fire was seen quickly rising to the ceiling.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT