$10,000 Reward Offered for Fugitive Son in Sakai Slaying

A $10,000 reward was authorized Tuesday by Gov. George Deukmejian for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a 21-year-old man charged in the fatal stabbing of his wealthy father.

Police are seeking information on Toru (Chris) Sakai, charged in February with the murder of his father, Takashi (Glenn) Sakai, last year. If tried and convicted, Sakai could face the death penalty, said Al Albergate, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Sakai was arrested in December on suspicion of murdering his father, last seen alive on April 20, 1987, Albergate said. Sakai was later released because of a lack of evidence.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lou Ito, who requested that the reward be offered, said the body of 54-year-old Takashi Sakai was found in a shallow grave off Malibu Canyon Road on Feb. 10. Sakai, a prominent Beverly Hills businessman, had been stabbed to death.

Greg Meier, who led authorities to the body, testified during a preliminary hearing that he helped Toru Sakai carry out the killing. Meier was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony.

Sanae Sakai, 51, the victim’s estranged wife, was arrested Feb. 25 on suspicion of harboring her son after the killing. Albergate said a pretrial hearing for Sanae Sakai is scheduled June 27.

Ito said he requested the state-funded reward because of Takashi Sakai’s high standing in the U.S. and Japanese business communities. Sakai was a founder of the Pacific Partners Investment firm in Beverly Hills.