Strands of investigation

Her body was discovered by authorities in July, when the odour of decomposition prompted reports that something was amiss in an Osaka, Japan residence. An investigation ensued to determine the cause of death.¹ Autopsy findings included no observable signs of external trauma, disease or injury that contributed to death, which was estimated to have occurred approximately two months previously. While ‘no evidence was found indicating the use of illicit drugs’, scattered around the deceased woman were thousands of empty blister packs for sleep-inducing drugs.