In a shocking incident, a woman allegedly killed her two children with a meat cleaver following an argument with her husband in Tempe, Arizona, in the US.
The woman identified as Yui Inoue, 40, had an altercation with her husband on May 16, 2021, and threatened to stab him over an argument about money to go to Japan.
However, there were no signs of the woman turning into a violent mother and hurting the kids.
Heard Voices In Her Head To Kill Children
Image Source: Associated Press
According to officials, Inoue drove down to the police station around 7 am the next day and told the officers that she heard voices in her head to kill her children. A seven-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl were found dead in the apartment. The father wasn’t home at the time of the incident.
The woman primarily speaks Japanese and required an interpreter for interviews. It’s unclear if the woman has a lawyer to speak on her behalf.
The couple filed for divorce in April this year and had fought the night before over money as she wanted to move to Japan.
Sgt. Steven Carbajal, a Tempe police spokesman revealed, “There were significant injuries to both the bodies including lacerations, incised wounds and amputations, consistent with a violent attack and defensive wounds.” Officials state that the bodies were under a blanket and boxes.
Inoue had blood and lacerations on her body when the police detained her. There were bloodstains in her car as well, along with blood-stained clothing and the six-inch meat cleaver inside a bag.
Elaborating further, Carvajal said, “There were several pieces of information/evidence that led detectives to believe that the cleaver was the weapon used during this incident.”
According to the officials, Inoue woke up around 4.30 am with blood on her hands and arms, and the two children were dead and bloody near the doorway of the bedroom. She told the police that she didn’t remember anything about the incident and woke up after taking a bath.
Police Responded To A Domestic Dispute Earlier That Day
Incidentally, police had responded to the same apartment earlier in the day because of a domestic dispute between the couple. Inoue’s husband said that he left the apartment around 12.30 am on Saturday, following their argument.
At the time, he did not have any concerns about his wife hurting the children.
The police say they did not have any reason to call the child welfare authorities citing any danger to the children. The husband told the police he slept until morning in his vehicle in the parking lot of his employer.
Mother Says Not Guilty
Inoue made her first appearance before the court on May 17, 2021, where she denied harming the children. The violent mother is facing two counts of first-degree murder.
She is held on a $2 million cash bond and asked to surrender her passport and wear an electronic monitoring device.
Mental Health In Woman
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The case of the violent mother is heartbreaking and scary at the same time. It also highlights the pressure women tend to be that can prompt them to snap when least expected. The Mental Health Foundation (UK) states women are at a greater risk than men of poor mental health.
Women have higher rates of anxiety and depression, which can be caused by changes in hormones, pregnancy, menopause or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Women also experience mental health conditions differently than men. While some men may act out in anger due to depression, women are more likely to experience sadness, fatigue and lack of motivation.
A 2017 study in the Singapore Medical Journal revealed that the lifetime prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was higher among women at 7.2 per cent as compared to men at 4.3 per cent. MDD was also more prevalent among divorced/separated and widowed women.
How To Look After Your Mental Health
Mental health issues can happen to anyone and there’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. It’s unfortunate that the violent mother couldn’t seek help at the right time. The important thing to remember is that you need to actively seek help. You are not alone and you can find support through friends, family, community and your healthcare provider.
To avoid mental health issues here are five practical ways to look after yourself:
1. Communicate
Speak to friends, family, confidante or even a therapist about your feelings. It’s okay to be vulnerable and open up about it to the people you can trust.
2. Stay Active
Mental health is linked to your physical wellbeing, and that comes from maintaining an active lifestyle. Add physical activity to your schedule like walks, exercise, swimming or sports to keep your body and organs healthy.
At the same time, ensure you get an ample amount of sleep every night. This not only keeps you healthy but will also help build your self-esteem.
3. Eat Well
A bad lifestyle includes bad food choices as well. However, switch to a more balanced diet, healthy food habits and timely meals, and you will immediately see a difference in your mental and physical health.
Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.
4. Drink Responsibly
Alcohol can be an occasional indulgence or the bane of your life. You decide if you control the bottle or is it the other way round. Too much consumption will aggravate your mental health problems.
5. Take A Break
Everyone needs to take a break from time to time to avoid the risk of burning out. Be it at the office or at home, take small breaks during work to ensure you get time to de-stress.
You can take a break from being a mum and wife too. There’s no need to feel embarrassed about it.
Image Source: iStock
Suicide Prevention Helplines
If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available:
- Samaritans Of Singapore: 1800-221-4444
- Singapore Association For Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
- Institute Of Mental Health’s Mobile Crisis Service: 6389-2222
- Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800
- Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928
- Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
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