A former referee for the Japanese promotion Marigold has been found dead and it is believed that a gruesome bear attack is the reason for it.
Katsumi Sasazaki, 60, went missing on the morning of October 16 while he was at work by himself at a single-inn hot spring resort along the Getogawa River. The manager of the inn noticed that Sasazaki was missing and contacted law enforcement around an hour later. When officers arrived at the scene, they found various items strewn around the area – including cleaning tools, Sasazaki’s glasses and slippers. Animal fur among bloodstains were also found. The outdoor bath area where Sasazaki worked was enclosed by a 1m high fence.
The following day a search party found a “severely mutilated body” as well as an adult male Asiatic black bear in a wooded area close by. The team shot and killed the bear. About a week earlier, another man was found dead in a forest area about 2km away from where Sasazaki was found and he was also attacked by a bear. Police are investigating whether the same animal was responsible for both attacks.
Marigold’s Rossy Ogawa acknowledged the death, tweeting the following:
Tragic news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who was attacked by a bear and went missing at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found. Sasazaki’s final referee appearance was in the Marigold ring. A junior from All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, he was reserved but dedicated to his work, and he leaves behind two young daughters. He was supposed to attend the Shinkiba event but was absent, and we parted ways without exchanging any words. Such an end is unthinkable, and all I can say is that it’s deeply regrettable and heartbreaking.
I pray for his soul to rest in peace.
岩手県北上市の温泉施設で熊に襲われ行方不明だった笹崎勝巳の遺体が発見されたという痛ましいニュースが入ってきた。笹崎の最後のレフェリーはマリーゴールドのリングだった。全女の後輩であり寡黙だが仕事熱心であり、まだ幼い女の子が二人いる。新木場大会に来るはずが欠場となり、何の言葉も交わす…
— ロッシー小川 Rossy Ogawa (@rossyogawa) October 17, 2025
