SUSPICIOUS DEATH
CASE #: 2019-85
Misaki Ogura
Status:
Open
Date of Death:
Date of Death:
Jurisdiction:
Death Location:
Doshi Village, Yamanashi Prefecture
Summary:
Misaki Ogura was a 7-year-old girl from Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, who disappeared on September 21, 2019, while at a mountainous campsite in Yamanashi Prefecture. She was last seen running into the woods after eating snacks at approximately 3:40 p.m. Human skull fragments believed to possibly belong to her were discovered in April 2022, approximately 600 meters from the campsite, though forensic analysis has not conclusively confirmed the remains are hers.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Death:
On September 21, 2019, Misaki Ogura attended a camping outing at the Toshimura Campground in Doshi Village, Yamanashi Prefecture with her mother, Tomoko Ogura, and sister as part of a group of approximately 30 people from a parenting circle. At around 3:35 p.m., approximately nine children who had eaten snacks (chocolate banana) left to play, and Misaki followed a friend about 5 to 10 minutes later. At approximately 3:40 p.m., Misaki was last seen running by herself after other children into the woods, turning left away from the campsite. Her mother witnessed her running off into the woods. At 3:50 p.m., adults went to collect the children. At 4:00 p.m., when Misaki did not return with the other children, her mother and others began searching nearby. At 4:20 p.m., when she was still not found, the search area was expanded. Misaki was wearing a black checkered high-neck long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans with green edging, and green sneakers at the time of her disappearance.
Additional Details:
A large-scale search involving more than 1,700 police officers, firefighters, and Self-Defense Force personnel was launched immediately. The search lasted 16 days before authorities ended the intensive effort on October 7, 2019, though information-gathering activities continued. Searchers used tracker dogs and heat-detection drones during the initial search. On April 23, 2022, approximately two and a half years after her disappearance, human skull fragments were discovered on a mountain trail approximately 600 meters east of the campsite by a man in his 40s, who reported the discovery to local police two days later with a photo. An autopsy performed on April 26, 2022, identified the remains as part of a human skull. Police conducted further searches with a team of 40 and found a right green sneaker (child's size) on April 28, 2022, followed by a left green sneaker and a sock approximately 300 meters away on April 29, 2022. The green sneakers were identical to those belonging to Misaki according to her mother. Police believe heavy rain may have brought the skull fragments and sneakers downstream or uncovered them. However, forensic analysis has not conclusively proven the remains belong to Misaki Ogura. Online harassment of her mother Tomoko occurred following the disappearance. In October 2020, a 69-year-old man named Yukio Nogami was arrested for defamation after posting a video claiming the crowd-funding campaign for the search was a scam. In August 2020, a 31-year-old construction worker named Katsuji Saitsu from Shizuoka Prefecture was arrested for making online threats to kill Tomoko Ogura between October 22 and November 16, 2019, with messages accusing her of being the culprit. Misaki's family distributed over 430,000 flyers to campers and passengers seeking information.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Left green sneaker and sock found approximately 300 meters from where the skull fragments were discovered.
Right green sneaker (child's size) matching Misaki's footwear found.
Autopsy performed identified remains as part of a human skull. Police searched the area with a team of 40.
Human skull fragments discovered on a mountain trail approximately 600 meters east of the campsite by a man in his 40s.
69-year-old man Yukio Nogami arrested for defamation of character after posting a video claiming the crowd-funding campaign to help search for Misaki was a scam.
31-year-old construction worker Katsuji Saitsu arrested for making online threats to kill Misaki's mother on Facebook between October 22 and November 16, 2019.
After 16 days of intensive searching, Yamanashi prefectural police ended large-scale search efforts due to lack of leads, though information-gathering continued.
Large-scale search operations begun involving police, firefighters, and Self-Defense Force personnel. Tracker dogs and heat-detection drones deployed.
Search personnel expanded the search area when Misaki was not found, including around tennis courts and nearby buildings.
Misaki's mother noticed she had not returned with the other children and began searching with others.
Adults went to collect the children from play.
Misaki was last seen by her mother running into the woods, turning left away from the campsite.
Approximately nine children, including Misaki, who had eaten snacks left to play. Misaki followed a friend about 5 to 10 minutes later.
Associated Persons
Masashi O. (Father) - Living
Tomoko O. (Mother) - Living
Yukio N. (Person of Interest) - Living
Katsuji S. (Person of Interest) - Living
Related Stories & Podcasts
Case Content Disclaimer: The details on this case page are sourced from numerous locations to include family, friends, news postings and government public releases. Solve the Case, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of any content as case pages are living documents that frequently update as case details expand.
