Man Arrested After Skull of Woman Who Went Missing 7 Years Ago Is Found in His Apartment: Reports

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the skull of a woman who went missing in 2018 was found in his apartment in Japan, according to reports.

Kaho Miyamoto, 21, was last seen at JR Omiya Station in Saitama on Jan. 4, 2018, where she met Jun Saito, 31. The pair went back to his home in Omiya Ward, Saitama City, the Japan Times and Japan Today reported, citing Saitama Prefectural Police.

On May 15, Saito was arrested on suspicion of stealing a woman’s smartphone. During a search at his home, two skulls and other bones were found stored on a shelf. Police confirmed that one of the skulls was that of Miyamoto; it is believed that the other was purchased online by Saito, according to reports. 

According to the police investigation, Miyamoto took a train from Tsuchiura Station in Ibaraki to Omiya Station to meet Saito. The pair then headed back to Saito’s apartment, where police allege Saito killed Miyamoto and dismembered her body, per Japan Times and Japan Today.

Police found knives and saws among other tools that they believe were used in the murder and dismemberment at Saito’s home, according to the outlets. 

Saito reportedly admitted to police that he strangled Miyamoto at his home.

“I invited her to my home, strangled her, and dismembered her body at my home. I strangled her with a rope,” he allegedly confessed, per the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi.

Miyamoto had “suicidal feelings” at the time she met up with Saito, per Japan Times and Japan Today. He allegedly asked her to write a suicide note and removed Miyamoto’s SIM card from her smartphone while at his home, per the outlets. 

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Saito reportedly told police in his confession of the murder, per Japan Today, “I’ve had a murderous desire since I was a child. I wanted to kill someone. I’m sure I did it with her consent. There was no other reason.”

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Miyamoto’s family said in a statement on Monday, June 16, per Japan Today, “We can’t believe it, and we don’t want to believe it. She was a kind, earnest girl who was considerate of the feelings of those around her. For now, our family would like to quietly mourn our daughter.”

PEOPLE has contacted the Saitama Prefectural Police for comment.