Police turned over to prosecutors Monday their case against a woman who had been arrested for confining and murdering two people in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, in 2008, but hanged herself in her jail cell in December.
The police alleged that Miyoko Sumida, 64, who was believed linked to other mysterious deaths, conspired with seven relatives to physically assault and murder Mariko Nakajima, 26, and Mitsue Ando, 67, at Sumida's condominium in Amagasaki.
Sumida, who allegedly masterminded the killings, denied involvement and committed suicide on Dec. 12 while in a Hyogo Prefecture police cell, even though she had been on suicide watch.
The prosecutors are unlikely to formally indict her. Her death has made it difficult for investigators to gain a full picture of what transpired.