A 78-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of killing his stepdaughter by dousing her in gasoline and setting her on fire at their home in Ota Ward, Tokyo, with police pointing to a dispute over money from selling the house.
The suspect, Makoto Seki, is accused of killing Michiyo Terashima, 61, at the home in July. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Terashima was cooking in the second-floor kitchen when Seki poured gasoline over her and ignited it.
Seki and Terashima had been in a dispute over money tied to the sale of the home, investigators believe. The fire also left Terashima's mother, who is in her 80s, and her son, in his 30s, with serious and minor injuries.
Seki has admitted to the allegations, telling investigators he intended to die as well, according to the account given to the police.