Kaoru Kobayashi

The girl's missing belongings were found at the apartment of suspect Kaoru Kobayashi, a sales representative for the daily Mainichi Shimbun.

Investigative authorities said Kobayashi had confessed to abducting and murdering Kaede Ariyama, an elementary school first grader.

A motorcycle used for delivering newspapers at the Mainichi Shimbun distributing branch where the suspect used to work.

During a search of his home in Sango, Nara Prefecture, investigators found a cellphone and school bag belonging to the victim, as well as the jacket she was wearing at the time of her abduction, officials said.

Police have learned that, after the slaying, Kobayashi showed a picture of the murdered girl -- which he apparently took himself -- to people at a bar that he frequents, according to the officials.

Ariyama, who is thought to have been kidnapped on her way home from school Nov. 17, was found dead in the early hours of the following day in a gutter in Heguri, about 6 km from her home in the city of Nara. Kobayashi's apartment is located about 5 km from the site where the body was found.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 8, 2005
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