A few days before the attacks on the girls, a local housewife reported that her cat had been so badly beaten that it died a day later. In the case of Hase, a newspaper deliveryman came forward to say he had spotted two dead cats near Tomogaoka junior high school, where the youngster's head was found. One of the cats had its right-side paws severed. Two notes were found in Hase's mouth. One was folded and wrapped in the other.
Police say the notes revealed an embittered person who relishes killing.
One message, written in red ink, has been variously translated. Stop me if you can, police. I desperately want to see people die. Nothing makes me more excited than killing. A sentence of bloodshed must be handed down over my great grudge that has accumulated over many years.