"No Intent but Constitutes Injury Resulting in Death"
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] It has been revealed that a man and woman in their 30s who died by suicide in an apartment in Gangneung last June had assaulted a business partner in Seoul, leading to his death.
According to the Gangneung Police Station on the 22nd, around 3:03 p.m. on June 18, a man in his 30s, Mr. A, a woman in her 30s, Ms. B, a woman in her 60s, Ms. C, and a pet dog were found dead in an apartment in Ponam-dong, Gangneung City.
The deceased man and woman in their 30s were in a romantic relationship, and the woman in her 60s, Ms. C, was identified as Mr. A’s mother. The police confirmed that they had come to Gangneung from Songpa-gu, Seoul, a few days before their deaths, using a rental car.
While investigating their deaths, the police found a suspicious note on Ms. B’s cellphone that read, “There is a problem. I intend to atone with death.” Consequently, the Gangneung Police Station requested cooperation from the Songpa Police Station, which has jurisdiction over Ms. B’s residence in Seoul, and a body of a man in his 30s, Mr. D, was discovered inside Ms. B’s home.
The police then upgraded the case from an unattended death investigation to a formal criminal investigation.
As a result of the investigation, it was revealed that Mr. A, Ms. B, and Mr. D were business partners running an online shopping mall related to pet products. Additionally, a video found on Ms. B’s cellphone showed Mr. A reprimanding Mr. D, leading the police to suspect that Mr. D’s death was connected to Mr. A and Ms. B.
The National Forensic Service’s examination concluded that the cause of Mr. D’s death was “possible asphyxiation due to oral compression and injuries caused by blunt force.” The police also found Mr. D’s DNA on a vacuum cleaner pipe found in Ms. B’s house.
Piecing together the evidence, including forensic analysis of cellphones and conversations, the police ultimately uncovered that Mr. A and Ms. B had assaulted Mr. D around June 5-6, causing his death. After renting a car and wandering, they committed suicide. Ms. C, Mr. A’s mother, who also died by suicide with them, was not involved in the incident but was with them at the time.
A police official stated, “Although there was no intent to commit murder, the circumstances indicate that Mr. A and others assaulted Mr. D and, upon waking, found him dead, which constitutes injury resulting in death.”
However, since Mr. A and Ms. B, who should face charges for these allegations, are already deceased, the police closed the case in mid-June due to lack of prosecution.
※ If you are struggling with difficult feelings such as depression and need expert help, you can receive 24-hour counseling at suicide prevention hotlines: 1577-0199, suicide prevention counseling 1393, Hope Phone 129, Life Phone 1588-9191, and Youth Phone 1388.
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