The first major development occurred on March 29. In the mountains, a relative discovered Yuki’s yellow backpack. However, there were reportedly several “suspicious aspects” to the backpack. The reporter from the major newspaper mentioned earlier continues:
“It was found in an area that the volunteer fire department and police had searched repeatedly up until the day before. The local fire chief also testified that ‘it wasn’t there during the previous search,’ suggesting the possibility that it was placed there intentionally.
Furthermore, despite the fact that it had rained on some days between Yuki’s disappearance and the 29th, the backpack was almost completely clean and dry. It is believed that it may have been stored indoors until the day before.”
The backpack was found in the mountains, approximately 3 kilometers northwest of the elementary school Yuki attended, as the crow flies. Local residents shake their heads in puzzlement, saying, “Nobody goes to a place like that.”
“We use it when other roads are congested and impassable, but it’s so narrow that only one car can pass at a time. It’s a road that even locals don’t use unless there’s a very good reason,” said a local resident.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
