crime

Murder victim had pieces of man's skin under her fingernails, police say

17 Comments

Police investigating the murder of a 25-year-old woman in her apartment in Tokyo's Nakano Ward last week, said pieces of a man's skin were found under her fingernails. However, police said a DNA analysis was unable to match it with any of the victim's male acquaintances, Fuji TV reported Thursday.

Risa Kagaya, 25, who was a part-time worker and theater troupe member, was found dead in her apartment on the night of Aug 26. Her naked body was lying near the front door, and her face was wrapped in a towel.

All doors and windows were locked in the second-floor apartment.

Police said the clothes she was last seen wearing were missing, along with a black backpack, tote bag and the key to the apartment.

Police have been analyzing street surveillance camera footage to try and piece together Kagaya's last movements. She did not attend theater practice on the morning of August 25. Police said her last known contact with anyone was when she chatted with a friend on LINE at around 12:40 a.m. on Aug 25.

When Kagaya failed to show up for work at an izakaya (Japanese pub) early in the evening of Aug 26, her boss went to her apartment. After receiving no response, he contacted police who discovered her body at around 10 p.m.

Kagaya's downstairs neighbor reported hearing loud noises and what seemed like a woman crying out on the night of Aug 25. Police said an eyewitness also reported seeing Kagaya arguing with a man in a nearby park a few weeks earlier.

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17 Comments
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I've often wondered what I would do upon hearing shouting/screaming etc from my neighbours. I would really want to help. But then, I have to remember I live in Japan. The police here would probably end up implicating me somehow in what ever I was reporting.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

kawa... best advise ever! Never never stick your head out as a Gaijin. I did once by handing in a purse and went through hell. Police computer check, million questions blah blah.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It's odd that her izakaya boss went on her apartment even after she didn't appear just once.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

However, police said a DNA analysis was unable to match it with any of the victim’s male acquaintances, Fuji TV reported Thursday.

It seems likely the boss'd be in that list.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

As a foreigner here it is best you keep yourself isolated from volunteering information until a Japanese national (witness) has made a statement before you or a partner or friend occupying the same space in time has done so.

In my case , I came across a victim who had been knocked down by a (car) or something or maybe fell off his scooter,... splayed across the street in front of me and although I had stopped well in front of the victim .....on approach the victim arose and accused me of the deed. On the next occasion on a different matter .... I drove past the victim and offered a a middle finger to God .

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Catch him pronto!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Don't let someone suffer. Help them. I've called the police more than a few times for domestic troubles in my area. The police always came to the scene I reported within about five minutes. Yes, the police asked me questions (on the phone) about what I heard/saw; when I heard/saw it; was it my first time to hear/see it; do I know the couples or have any relation to them; etc. They need details for when they report to the scene. It took about ten minutes of my time, at most, on each occasion, but I prevented a beating, possibly worse, on the other end.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I don't know about anyone else, but if I heard a woman screaming for her life, I'd be running in her direction to help not hiding away. It's basic instinct to defend those in difficulty, especially women. The repercussions and questions I would get from the police would be the last thing on my mind at that time. As dsanjo says above, call the police. Nothing bad will come if it and it's why they are there. Hope the killer can be found soon.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There are always a lot of "have a go hero" people posting on any crime story on Japan Today. I wonder if they really would get involved in a live situation like this one and the countless others before it....I have my doubts.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sure Id help a woman being attacked...

But I wouldn't hang around to talk to the J-cops. Id probably face an assault charge for smacking the attacker as he is Japanese and being a gaijin I am way down on the equality list.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In this case though all you would have heard was loud noises and a scream from behind closed doors, it wouldn't have been absolutely clear anyone was being attacked. Getting involved would have meant going upstairs and ringing the doorbell. I don't know if so many people would do that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have called in for domestic disturbances once, and was asked if I heard literal calls for help, which I did not, so they wouldn't come.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The question of meddling in someone else's affairs or minding one's own business is a fine line. We are required by law to report suspected child abuse to the police or child welfare agency. Failure to report can lead to penalties and even arrest. Would a similar law be necessary for domestic affairs?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Probably someone she met online. Pretty sick. Stating that the doors and windows were locked means jack all.... Ever heard of keys?

Naked and with a towel around her head seems strange... And to the guy saying something about being heroes? Yeah I guess I would intervene. I don't really know my neighbours well but I'd sure as hell protect locals in my area. It does not hurt to call the police. As for the police treating you worse cause your a gaijin....I haven't really experienced it. I just stand my ground with the police here, they tend to be pretty leanent.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It seems like Japanese people don't get involved to help when someone is in trouble. Why don't they at least call police when something is happening? Are the cops that bad?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Calling the police is always the right thing to do. They will at least document the event with parties involved and can likely stop a crime from happening.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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