American Suspect Is Arrested on Murder Charges in Japan
On Thursday, June 14, Japanese officials arrested a suspect for the murder of a young student in Tokyo. The young, female victim was an exchange student visiting Tokyo from Ireland. Her body was found last month and now a 19-year-old musician from the United States is the prime suspect.
Authorities believe that the American suspect murdered 21-year-old Nicola Furlong at the Keio Plaza Hotel, located in Shinjuku. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is not releasing the name of the suspect because of his age. Considered a minor by law, his identity will not be revealed at this time.
Japanese police state that the suspect denies killing Furlong, but admits that he did put his hands on her neck and apply pressure, with no intention to kill her. The suspect is a musician and came to Japan to join a band in April. Police believe the murder took place in the midst of a sexual encounter.
Another American, age 23, was arrested earlier as a suspect. He is accused of buying alcohol for Furlong and another young woman who were her Irish friend. He is also accused on groping the friend during a taxi ride after buying her drinks.
When Furlong was found, she was lying on the floor with the suspect standing next to her body. A hotel employee found Furlong and called authorities. Initial results of the autopsy show evidence that Furlong was strangled.
The young woman was only visiting Tokyo for a concert, but she was living in Takasaki City as an exchange student. Further details are expected to be released in the coming months.