The 16-year-old girl whose corpse was found July 13 on a mountain in Hiroshima Prefecture may have been beaten by several of the seven suspects who have been arrested in connection with the slaying, police said Friday, speculating that a quarrel over money may have also been involved.
Acquaintances of the people linked to the case also said the victim and the 16-year-old girl who, on July 12, first turned herself in and confessed to the slaying were classmates at a vocational school. The acquaintances, without elaborating, said the pair may have fought over a financial matter related to an "entertainment business" in which they were involved.
The first girl was arrested Sunday after police, based on her confession, found the victim's corpse on Haigamine Peak in Kure the previous day. The six other suspects in the case, all 16-year-olds except Taihei Seto, 21, were arrested Wednesday. All seven are facing initial charges of dumping a body.