Lindsay Ann Hawker’s family demands justice

Over a year has passed since the brutal murder of English teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker, and chief suspect Tatsuya Ichihashi remains at large. Hawker’s family has renewed their calls for justice:

“My daughter was horribly murdered,” a tearful William Hawker recently told Kyodo News. “I don’t want the people of Japan to forget that.”

“Please do not forget our Lindsay. She was a lovely girl,” he said. “She met evil and our lives have been ruined.”

Lindsay Hawker, 22, was teaching English in Tokyo when she met Ichihashi. Her body was found at his apartment in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, and it is thought she was beaten for up to 36 hours.

Ichihashi managed to flee from police who were sent to his apartment and, despite numerous media appeals and wanted posters adorning many police stations, the trail appears to have gone cold.

“We get weekly bulletins which say much the same,” William said at his home near Coventry, central England. “There are still a great deal of sightings but they seem to lead to nothing.”

“Each week we hope for a more significant breakthrough. We are very disappointed and down that he hasn’t been caught. But we do believe that the police are doing all they can.”

There have been hundreds of sightings of Ichihashi all over Japan and in other countries but, so far, they have borne no fruit.

Linday’s parents believe that Ichihashi, who was unemployed and relied on his parents for money, is probably getting help from someone. They’ve also told the press that they are upset that Ichihashi’s family has only expressed “regret,” and they are seeking an apology.

Those with information on Ichihashi’s possible whereabouts can call a special hotline set up by supporters of the Hawker family at 03-6688-7677.