San Diego Prosecutors Vow to Seek Justice for Fumiko Ogawa

Fumiko Ogawa, 41, was last seen alive on January 4, 2007 near her Point Loma Home.

An accused killer who was extradited from Hawaii to face charges in a San Diego cold case was ordered held on $5 million bail Monday as prosecutors vowed to seek justice for the woman whose body was unearthed in the Anza Borrego Desert.

Anthony Simoneau, 46, appeared in an El Cajon courtroom in a jail uniform for the first time when he faced a judge for his formal arraignment on one count of murder in connection with the death of his wife, Fumiko Ogawa.

Ogawa, 41, was last seen alive on January 4, 2007 near her Point Loma Home. Family members in Japan reported her missing, not her husband, officials said.

A body was uncovered January 20 at the Bow Willow Campground in the desert approximately 100 miles east of downtown San Diego. Officials were unable to identify the body at the time it was discovered.

It wasn’t until June 2011 later that investigators were able to positively identify Fumiko Ogawa as the victim of homicide.

In court Monday, Simoneau appeared alongside public defender Armando Salazar and entered a not guilty plea.

After his arrest in Honolulu, Simoneau said he looked forward to returning to San Diego to clear his name.

He now sits in custody on $5 million bail because prosecutors argued he has no local ties and should be considered a flight risk.

Officials say Simoneau sought for divorce before her death and then changed his mind when she inherited a large amount of money.

Deputy District Attorneys Kurt Mechals and Michelle Ialeggio said the case is mainly circumstantial but that is not unusual in a murder case.

It took investigators a lot longer to piece together the case and to basically connect the dots, Mechals said.

Then, with many witnesses living in Japan, it was challenging to coordinate interviews with the help of the Japanese authorities.

The next step will be a readiness hearing in October. That’s when a date is expected to be set for the preliminary hearing.

If convicted, Simoneau faces a maximum penalty of 25 years to life.
 

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