Japanese businessman Kazuyoshi Miura found dead in jail cell
Miura had just returned to the U.S. to face charges in the 1981 slaying of his wife. His death is an apparent suicide.
A Japanese businessman accused of conspiring to have his wife murdered 27 years ago in Los Angeles hanged himself in his jail cell overnight, a few hours after he arrived in the United States to face charges.
Kazuyoshi Miura, 61, was found in his cell about 9:40 p.m. Friday by a jail officer during a routine inspection, said Lt. John Romero of the Los Angeles Police Department.
"It was apparent that the murder suspect, alone in his cell, had used a piece of his shirt as a makeshift ligature around his neck," Romero said. Miura was rushed to County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, he said.
Authorities immediately contacted the Japanese Consul General, who notified Miura's family in Japan, Romero said.
Mark Geragos, Miura's attorney, who is in New York, said he was notified of his client's death about 12:15 a.m. today by the district attorney's office. "None of this makes any sense," Geragos said.
He said a lawyer had visited with Miura earlier and that he was in good spirits, complaining only about a little back pain. "There was no indication that he was despondent or depressed," Geragos said. "There was no indication whatsoever of problems.
"He was ready and girded for the fight," Geragos said of his client.
Geragos said he will demand an independent investigation. But he said he was upset because he has still not "gotten a straight or cogent explanation about what happened."
According to California Minimum Jail Standards, cell inspections are required every 30 minutes. Based on preliminary information, authorities said that detention officers assigned to the portion of the jail housing Miura had conducted a required cell check and found nothing unusual, about 10 minutes before Miura was found hanged.
A detention officer immediately requested help, and along with two other officers rushed into the cell to administer CPR to Miura. Medical personnel from the jail dispensary also responded to the cell.
Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the Parker Center Jail to continue life-saving efforts and took Miura to the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.
Escorted by police, Miura arrived Friday at Los Angeles International Airport shortly before 5 a.m. and was taken to police headquarters, where he was booked. He was scheduled to be transferred to Central Jail on Tuesday.
