A Tempe mother, Yui Inoue, was given two consecutive natural life sentences for murdering her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter in 2021.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s office, hours before the children were killed, Inoue’s ex-husband called Tempe Police to report a domestic dispute. The two had recently divorced and were arguing about money ahead of Inoue’s move to Japan. He left the apartment after his ex-wife – the defendant – became aggressive and used a meat cleaver to destroy his computer and other electronics. At the time officers responded to the apartment near Mill and Southern Avenues, they saw both children alive and sleeping.
At some point after officers left, Inoue went into the children’s bedroom and held each child down on the floor while she delivered dozens of blows with the meat cleaver.
Inoue put her bloody clothes in a garbage bag, partially cleaned the knife, took a shower, and packed a backpack with her passport, cash and jewelry. She threw trash, boxes, a mattress and other items over her son and daughter’s bodies before locking the front door and leaving the apartment.
Inoue then went to a Tempe police station and told an officer she heard voices telling her that she killed her kids, and she saw some blood. Officers went back to the home and found the children.
A jury convicted Inoue of all charges:
Inoue was also sentenced to an additional 35 years for Child Abuse and for Disorderly Conduct to be served consecutive to the life sentences.
“This woman will spend the rest of her days in prison, which is where she should be,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “As monstrous as this crime was, the greater tragedy is that it is not unique. Far too often, members of my prosecutorial teams are exposed to this kind of criminal depravity. I applaud those who put this defendant in prison, as well as every person at MCAO who is willing to take on this kind of ugliness to ensure justice is served.”