Japanese woman held on murder suspicion

updated 11:09 a.m. ET Aug. 16, 2006

KOBE, Japan - Police on Wednesday arrested an 84-year-old woman on suspicion of murdering her 80-year-old husband at their home in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, in July, they said.

Hanako Okamoto said earlier her husband, Akira, was killed by two intruders in a robbery but admitted Wednesday to having made up the story and having murdered Akira on the evening of July 11 at their house, according to the police.

The police allege Hanako stabbed and beat Akira with a sharp tool and a hammer, leaving more than 10 cuts on his body, they said, adding she has not yet said why she murdered him.

The police also said she claimed earlier the "intruders" stole 4.6 million yen in cash from a chest but now doubt the cash was kept there.

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