A 44-year-old Arizona mother named Yui Inoue was found guilty of first-degree murder for murdering her two children, ages 7 and 9 back in 2021. Using a meat cleaver, prosecutors argued that Inoue murdered her defenseless son and daughter as an act of revenge against her estranged husband.
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According to 12 News, the horrifying incident occurred on May 15, 2022. Reportedly, Inoue and her husband engaged in a heated argument after Inoue demanded him to pay an unspecified amount of money they had previously agreed upon before their separation. Leaving her apartment, the husband then called the Tempe police. They assessed the apartment and noted minimal damage, but the two kids were asleep.
However, the apparent peaceful scene would then turn into an extremely violent one. According to PEOPLE, Inoue drove to a police substation the following day and told police officers that she was hearing voices, telling her to kill her children, prompting the search. According to The Arizona Republic, Inoue had a meat cleaver and bloody clothing in her car.
When re-entering the apartment, officers were shocked to find 9-year-old Mia and 7-year-old Kai dead. Their bodies were "minimally concealed" under a blanket and boxes. They both had multiple cuts and amputations. According to authorities, their injuries were "consistent with a violent attack and with defensive wounds." Furthermore, Mia and Kai both had fatal injuries to their heads and necks. Prosecutors added that their sustained injuries were "too many to count."
'No Recollection'
Inoue, at the time, told police that she had woken up that day and saw that her hands and arms were bloodied. She then said she found her children dead in the apartment with no recollection of hurting them. Yui Inoue was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Almost three years later, Inoue was found guilty of first-degree murder, child abuse, and disorderly conduct.
"Mia and Kai Inoue were sleeping soundly in their beds when their own mother came into their bedroom holding a knife," prosecutors argued during her trial, according to AZ Family. "A meat cleaver, that is literally designed to cut the bones of animals. And she attacked them with it. She had to think. She had to act. And there's nothing unclear or speculative about any of that."
12 News reports that Inoue had a previous history with the law. Not only was she charged with aggravated assault on an officer in March 2021, but she was also investigated for neglect. Reportedly, Yui Inoue disappeared with her son Kai, who was later returned to his father. Said neglect investigation was still open when Inoue murdered Kai and Mia.
