TOKYO, Oct. 4 (Infinite Headlines) — Okinawa Prefectural Police said they arrested a 20-year-old U.S. Marine on Sunday, Oct. 4, on suspicion of killing a woman at a Naha hotel early Saturday and stealing her wallet and backpack.
A police spokesman identified the suspect as Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa. Police identified the woman as Anna Yagi, 39, of Naha. Ballard denied the allegations, police said.
The spokesman placed the alleged killing at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel in Naha’s Wakasa district between about 2:10 and 4:17 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. A separate police account reported by Jiji Press put the end time at about 4:15 a.m.
Police said footage showed Ballard entering the hotel with Yagi and leaving alone. Police told CNN she was found unresponsive around 4:30 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy found she died of suffocation after strangulation, according to police.
IJR reported that a hotel employee unlocked Yagi’s room after a missed checkout and found her unconscious. It also reported that belongings were found scattered around the hotel.
Kyodo reported that an officer questioned and detained Ballard while he walked alone in Naha’s entertainment district late Saturday. Police told CNN the arrest occurred around 1 a.m. Sunday.
A police spokesman said Ballard remained in Japanese custody Sunday and officers expected to refer the case to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office within 48 hours of arrest. Police said they were investigating whether Ballard and Yagi had a relationship.
The Marine Corps said Ballard was assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force and that it was cooperating with Japanese authorities.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi protested to the United States Sunday, calling the alleged incident “extremely brutal and heinous” and “deeply regrettable.” Japan’s Foreign Ministry lodged a protest with U.S. Ambassador George Glass, according to the ministry. Japanese officials sought U.S. cooperation, tighter discipline and prevention measures.
The U.S. Embassy said an investigation was underway to “determine the facts of the case” and that Washington was cooperating with Japan and local authorities. Glass said he had spoken with Japan’s Foreign Ministry and Okinawa’s governor, offering “sincere condolences and pledging full cooperation as the investigation continues.”
