Family members appear in court over death of Rina Yasutake

The body of 49-year-old Rina Yasutake, a talented artist and former Cambridge University student, was discovered at a property in Helmsley on September 25 last year.

On Monday, her sister Yoshika Yasutake, 53, brother Takahiro Yasutake, 47, and elderly mother Michiko Yasutake, 76, from Helmsley, appeared at York Crown Court for what was due to be a plea hearing.

All three are charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body without lawful excuse.

They confirmed their names through an interpreter, but no pleas were entered and judge Sean Morris adjourned the case for “cultural” and medical reports.

He set a provisional trial date of June 15 next year and granted bail to all three defendants on condition that they reside at their home address in Bondgate, surrender any travel documents and did not leave the country.

It has not been revealed how Rina, formerly of Nunnington, died.

Following her death last year, tributes were paid to the former boarding pupil at fee-paying Queen Mary's School in Thirsk, with former friends saying she had been a gifted, gregarious and popular student.

The three defendants will next appear for a preliminary hearing on March 30 next year. The scheduled trial in June is expected to last two weeks.