Miss Sherlock star Yuko Takeuchi ‘dead at 40’ as the Japanese actress ‘died by suicide’ at her Tokyo home
BELOVED Japanese actress Takeuchi Yuko has died aged just 40 of likely suicide.
The mom-of-two was found dead in her Tokyo apartment by her husband Nakabayashi Taiki, also an actor.
Police is investigating the cause of death with suicide the more likely outcome.
Takeuchi was best known to Western audiences for her roles in Miss Sherlock and Ringu.
The actress did not leave a note and is survived by her husband and their two sons, including a baby who was born in January.
Her tragic passing comes after other big name Japanese stars also took their lives this year.
Actress Ashina Seie died earlier this month, actor Miura Harumi took his own life, as did reality TV star Kimura Hana who passed away in May.
Takeuchi's talent agency released a statement proclaiming its shock at her passing.
"It came all of a sudden, and we are all stunned and saddened by the news,” Stardust Promotion told The Japan Times.
Her thousands of fans flooded social media to express their heartbreak at her untimely passing.
One Twitter user wrote: "I still can't bring myself to believe Takeuchi Yuko is gone, it's just unthinkable."
While another added: "Heartbreaking news."
And a third said: "This death hits me like no other."
Takeuchi was an acclaimed actress in her home country, having been nominated for three times as Best Actress at the Japanese Academy Awards.
Described as the "queen of J-Drama" by her fans, she started her career in 1996 in a film called Cyborg, quickly going on to be one of the country's most sought after actresses.
She starred in the 1998 horror film, Ringu, which would later be adapted into a Hollywood franchise, and become one of the highest-grossing horror remakes.
In 2018 Takeuchi played Sara "Sherlock" Shelly Futaba in the joint HBO Asia and Hulu drama, Miss Sherlock.
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The actress was so popular she was often recruited by big name brands to appear in their commericals.
She starred in ads for Panasonic, Suntory and Shiseido to name a few.
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Takeuchi's final film, The Confidence Man JP: Princess was released in July.
If you or someone you know is having trouble with mental health or suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255. Another resources is SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.