Trial begins for Tempe mother accused of killing her kids

TEMPE, Ariz. – A 7-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl were found dead in a Tempe apartment in 2021, and on Feb. 10, 2024, their mother’s trial for their murders began.

What we know:

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Police say she killed the two kids with a meat cleaver. 

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“It can be described as nothing short of horrific, with large amounts of blood on the floor and surrounding walls. Sadly, Mia and Kai were located buried under boxes and blankets,” the prosecution said.

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On May 15, 2021, the 40-year-old mother of two, Yui Inoue, reportedly drove to a Tempe Police station, telling officers she was hearing voices to kill her children.

That’s when police found the two kids dead inside the family’s Tempe apartment.

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“Mia and Kai had extensive physical injuries to their heads and necks and there was evidence of defensive wounds to their hands and arms,” the prosecution said.

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Dig deeper:

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The prosecution says Inoue was motivated by anger, and that the number of injuries to each child were too many to count.

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“The medical examiner determined the cause of death for each was sharp force and chopping injuries,” the prosecution said.

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Prosecutors say Inoue and her husband had separated.

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In an argument the night before, Inoue allegedly threatened her husband with a knife, demanding money before leaving for Japan. It’s believed the father left the home after the fight.

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