Pictured: Woman, 49, whose remains were found in Yorkshire cottage

Police asked anyone with information about Rina Yasutake, 49, to get in touch with them

Police asked anyone with information about Rina Yasutake, 49, to get in touch with them

Police have released the identity of the body found in the home of a reclusive Japanese family in a historic market town.

She was identified as Rina Yasutake, 49, whose address was given as a property in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, the house where her remains were found.

However neighbours reacted with astonishment when shown her picture.

One said: ‘I have lived near them for years and I can’t recall ever seeing that lady. They were so secretive in the way that they lived that no one really knew exactly who lived at the address.’

North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal for anyone with information about Ms Yasutake to get in touch with them.

She has the same family name as the registered owner of the property, a woman named Michiko Yasutake.

A man aged 46, a woman aged 51, and a woman aged 75 were arrested and released on bail under investigation after police were called in on Tuesday.

A body was discovered after workmen arrived to fix the roof of this cottage in North Yorkshire

A body was discovered after workmen arrived to fix the roof of this cottage in North Yorkshire

The family are believed now to be back in their home in Helmsley. 

A foul odour smelt by a builder who had been brought in to replace the dilapidated roof was the first indication that a decomposing body was inside the property.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said police are continuing the investigation into her death, which is being treated as ‘unexplained’ and are appealing to anyone who knew Ms Yasutake to come forward.

Tests are currently underway to establish how and when Ms Yasutake died, however, officers need to establish a timeline of her movements before she died and want to speak to anyone who knew her.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Nichola Holden, said: ‘We realise this incident has caused concern among the local community in Helmsley and we thank everyone for their understanding while we carry out what is a very sensitive investigation into Rina’s death. 

‘To assist with our investigation, I am appealing to local people and anyone in the wider area who knew Rina, not just as a friend, but also by sight, to please contact us, no matter when you last saw her. 

‘Your information could be vital in helping us establish the timeline prior to her death.’

A workman who carried out work on the house said: ‘It was in a pretty bad state, the roof badly needed work it was coming apart.

Police are now investigating and have arrested three people, who have since been bailed

Police are now investigating and have arrested three people, who have since been bailed

‘Looking inside it seemed as though it hadn’t had much work done in quite some time.’

When the family first moved into the house in 1998 there were thought to be five members – an older couple, a couple who were then in their late 20s or early 30s and a child.

A former neighbour said: ‘When they moved in there was the man and woman, who people thought at the time were married but it’s since turned out they’re brother and sister according to most people in town. 

‘There was an older man and woman and a little girl. The girl would only have been around four or five and was very small, she suffered some kind of disability I was told. 

‘I saw her outside the house a couple of times and I’d also see her looking through the window, peering out through the pot plants. 

‘It’s been years though since anyone saw her or the older man, everyone assumed they had left, maybe to go back to Japan. 

‘To my knowledge the little girl didn’t go to school, she was rarely seen. It was around 20 years ago so she’ll be an adult now.’

Ms Yasutake was unknown in the town. Police took her photograph around shops and homes near the house where the grim discovery was made, but they received little information about her.

Forensics officers searched the front garden of a cottage where a body was discovered

Forensics officers searched the front garden of a cottage where a body was discovered

When the family first moved in it was thought they had a child living with them, but few people were aware there was a fourth adult in the house.

Alec Foots, who works at a local garage where the family would do their weekly shop, said: ‘The police showed me the picture of the woman who died and I’ve never seen her before.

‘It came as a surprise that she had been living there, I don’t know of anyone who’s seen her. Two members of the family use this place to buy their food.

‘They’d pre-order in writing and then come to collect it. The first assumption was that they were married but it appears they’re brother and sister.

‘They speak only amongst themselves and have little to say to anyone else. They’re pleasant enough, just quiet and reserved.’

A former neighbour said: ‘It’s come as a complete shock that another lady was living at the house, I used to live nearby and would pass often.

‘There was a child – or what we all thought was a child – living there. I’m wondering now whether the woman who has been found dead could have been mistaken for a young girl.

‘Whatever has happened inside that house it’s a great tragedy that someone has lost their life at quite a young age.’

Charles Davison, the builder who first raised the alarm due to the smell of the remains, returned yesterday to finish the roofing job.

Mr Davison declined to comment. It is understood he wished to finish the work to avoid damage to the property and neighbouring ones if it began to rain while the roof had all its tiles removed.

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