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The distraught father of a British teacher found dead following an apparently violent struggle in an east Tokyo apartment said yesterday he "would not rest" until her killer was caught and tearfully vowed to carry her photo for the rest of his life.
Bill Hawker arrived in Japan to identity the body of his daughter, Lindsay Ann, who was buried naked in a bathtub full of sand on the fourth-floor apartment balcony of the main suspect, 28-year-old Tatsuya Ichihashi.
Clutching a snapshot of his daughter and wiping away tears, Mr. Hawker said: "I'll carry this photo of her forever." Ms Hawker's long-term boyfriend, Ryan Garside, who was sitting beside him in a hotel outside Tokyo, just miles from where the body was found, revealed that he had planned to propose marriage and start a family.
"That man has ruined our dream," he said, weeping: "I loved her so, so much. She was the best thing in my life." Lisa and Louise Hawker, the 22-year-old victim's sisters, also spoke of their grief from outside the family home in Brandon, near Coventry. "Our sister Lindsay was our best friend. She was extraordinary in so many ways. She was intelligent, beautiful and would have dropped everything to help someone. She made so many people smile," said Lisa, 25, fighting back tears.
"Like so many people our age she wanted to see the world, and for some reason felt safer in Japan than in this country." Louise, 20, added: "Our family are so close and we have been torn apart by what's happened."With our dad and Ryan so far away in Japan at this moment, it is up to me and Lisa to look after our mum.
"You never think a thing like this could happen to you. We are normal people, and it does, and it hurts more than you can imagine. "The police say extensive bruising on Ms. Hawker's body and face indicates she was beaten and suffered internal bleeding but they have yet to announce the cause of death.
They have launched a nationwide manhunt for Mr Ichihashi, who fled the apartment while it was being searched, reportedly leaving behind the victim's handbag, clothing and other belongings.
Japanese news reports have focused on the bungling of the police who apparently let the suspect literally slip through their fingers. One news report said that Mr Ichihashi fled barefoot and lost his backpack when he was grabbed by officers as he climbed a wall. The report said the bag was stuffed with underwear and money, indicating he had planned his getaway.
Police say the two had met in the apartment for a private language class, which Mr Ichihashi had requested, but have refused to speculate that they were involved in a relationship.
Mr Hawker rejected such speculation. "I believe my daughter was tricked into going to this man's apartment on the pretext of giving him an English lesson," he said.
Local residents said Mr. Ichihashi lived alone. One woman interviewed on TV described him as a 'strange person' who came from a wealthy family and had run into problems while at university.
Ms Hawker had worked since October as an English teacher at one of the country's largest language chains, after graduating from Leeds University. Mr. Hawker said he was "proud" of his daughter when he saw her last on a visit to Japan after Christmas.
"She was a lovely girl and she would help anyone," he said, struggling for composure. "And because she helped anybody, she is where she is now."
Some English language teachers in Japan have posted blogs suggesting Ms. Hawker was being stalked, speculation fuelled by an email last week to her boyfriend uncovered on the Facebook website in which she said: "Love u lots dont worry abt the gut (guy) who chased me home, its jus crazy Japan. miss u xxx." Mr Garside replied on Sunday, saying: "Get in touch you fool! Why you never email??"
Comparisons are being made with the death of Englishwoman Lucie Blackman, who was 21 when she disappeared from her job as a Tokyo hostess in July 2000. Her dismembered body was found outside the city a year later. Ms. Blackman's father said last night he was 'deeply saddened' by the death of Ms Hawker. "I'm hoping this is not some sort of copycat scenario," he added.
- INDEPENDENT
