Authorities in Japan say a woman who poisoned her husband with cyanide is also suspected of killing several former lovers.
The New York Times reports that police were originally under the impression that 75-year-old Isao Kakehi died of a heart attack last December. However, when an autopsy revealed cyanide in his system, police began to suspect that 68-year-old Chisako Kakehi, who he married a month prior to his death, was involved.
The Times adds that as police unearthed Chisako Kakehi's past, they learned they she may have played a hand in a number of similar cases:
According to the police and news media reports, Mr. Kakehi was just one of six outwardly healthy elderly men who died abruptly over the last eight years after marrying or starting romantic relationships with Ms. Kakehi.
All were at least moderately wealthy, with homes and ample savings accounts accumulated over a lifetime of work in order to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Most died soon after drawing up wills that named her as the sole beneficiary.
Kaheki was arrested last month, and the Times reports that police discovered cyanide last week in a plant pot she tried to dispose of. At the time of her arrest, she was reportedly dating at least two other men.
[via New York Times]
