A woman with cancer accused of killing her mentally disabled brother died Sunday evening at the Nagoya Detention House, one day before a court was scheduled to rule on the case.
Katsuko Ichino, 66, of Nagoya's Nakamuwa Ward, had been indicted for killing her 69-year-old brother, Sadao, in March after learning that she had malignant breast cancer and would no longer be able to care for him.
Ichino was confirmed dead in her cell Sunday evening, after a guard found her immobile around 8:30 p.m.
She is believed to have choked on her own vomit, according to officials at the detention house.