Woman arrested in Japan after allegedly sewing her roommate's lips shut with needle and thread
A 49-year-old woman was arrested near Tokyo after allegedly using a needle and thread to sew her 42-year-old roommate's lips shut. The victim escaped to a nearby shop and showed a note reading 'Help'.
The attack
A 42-year-old woman in Koga, Ibaraki prefecture, was found with her lips sewn shut after a dispute with her roommate. Police say the suspect, Masae Sakurai, 49, used a needle and thread to close the victim's mouth on June 29. The two women shared a home in the city, located north of Tokyo.
Escape and plea for help
The victim managed to flee the house and ran to a nearby shop. There, she held up a piece of paper on which she had written "Help," according to Makoto Hiyama, a senior local police official. Staff at the shop alerted authorities.
Arrest and investigation
Police from Ibaraki prefecture arrested Sakurai on Monday, July 6, on suspicion of assault. A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest and said the suspect lived with the victim at the time of the alleged attack. Investigators are also looking into unconfirmed reports that a third person was living in the house.
Victim's account
The injured woman told police that the suspect became angry after a disagreement and then sewed her lips shut, public broadcaster NHK reported. The exact nature of the dispute has not been disclosed. Sakurai remains in custody as the investigation continues.
