Tatsuya Ichihashi re-arrested for rape and murder of Lindsey Hawker

Hawker was discovered buried in sand in the bathtub of Ichihashi’s flat in Tokyo in 2007. Since then Ichihashi has been on the run and has undergone plastic surgery in order to disguise himself.

However he was arrested in November at a ferry terminal in Osaka on charges of abandoning a body.

Ichihashi can be held for another 20 days by the police while prosecutors decide whether or not to officially charge him with rape and murder.

Ichihashi is accused of killing Hawker, who is from Brandon near Coventry, after she gave him an English lesson.

Warwickshire police have said that the Japanese police have informed them of the nature of Hawker’s injuries and the rape. However they would not say what they were as the Japanese police wish to keep the details secret for “operational reasons”. Hawker’s family have been informed of the details however.

Bill Hawker, the father of Lindsey, has said that Ichihashi should be locked up for the rest of his life.