Local police in South Korea have discovered the body of a woman who vanished 16 years ago, hidden beneath a layer of cement at her ex-boyfriend's former residence. The gruesome revelation occurred in Geoje, near Busan, where authorities arrested the suspect, a man in his 50s, who confessed to the murder during police interrogation. The victim, identified as Ms. B, was reported missing in 2011, three years after her death in October 2008, when she was allegedly killed during a violent dispute.
According to police reports, the suspect fatally assaulted Ms. B with a blunt object and subsequently concealed her body in a large travel bag on his balcony. He then covered the bag with bricks and poured a thick layer of cement over it, effectively creating a makeshift tomb. The body remained undiscovered until last month when a plumber, investigating a leak, accidentally broke through the cement. Remarkably, the body was found in a condition that allowed identification through fingerprints, as it had not completely decomposed.
The investigation into Ms. B's disappearance initially closed in 2011 due to insufficient evidence, despite the suspect's earlier claims that she had left him following a breakup. After being arrested for a drug-related offense in 2016, the suspect vacated the premises, which had since been used for storage. Following the recent discovery, police formed a dedicated investigation team and apprehended the suspect, who later confessed to the crime, although he initially denied the charges during questioning.
Despite the lengthy passage of time, the suspect demonstrated a clear recollection of the crime details, including the date and methods of concealment. However, due to the statute of limitations, he cannot be charged for concealing the body. The police are now exploring other potential charges related to his drug use. The case highlights the complexities of long-term missing person investigations and the challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases.
