JAPAN: Father of murdered Briton vows not to rest until man suspected of killing daughter is caught

The father of the British woman, Lindsay Ann Hawker, found murdered in a bathtub full of sand on an apartment balcony in the suburbs of Tokyo, vowed not to rest until the murderer is caught. Bill Hawker arrived in Japan earlier in the day and spoke with police extensively before making a brief but emotional five minute press appearance mediated by the British embassy. English teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker, 22, from Brandon, near Coventry, was found dead on Monday (March 26) in the city of Ichikawa, east of Tokyo. Police have launched a nationwide hunt for the Japanese man who lived alone in the apartment where her naked body was found. Tatsuya Ichihashi, 28, fled when police arrived to question him, losing his shoes and a rucksack he was carrying in a chase, a police spokesman said. "I believe my daughter was tricked into going to this man's apartment under the pretext of giving an English lesson. My daughter was a lovely girl, she would help anybody. And it was because she would help anybody she is were she is now," said Bill Hawker in a brief appearance in front of Japanese media on Wednesday (March 28). "I believe this man was a loner. I believe he was some sort of social misfit who targeted my daughter and he must be caught," said Hawker. "I will carry this photo of my daughter forever. And I will not rest until the man who killed my daughter is caught," he said in a voice broken by emotion. With Hawker's father was also her boyfriend, Ryan Garside, who spoke of shattered dreams. "I had planned to join her in Japan as a teacher in June," said Garside. "We were going to live together, save our money and then travel the world together. I loved her so, so much. We planned one day to get married and start a family. That man has ruined mine and Lindsay's plan. He's ruined our dream." Garside and Hawker's father made a prompt exit from the hotel conference room where they had been speaking. The case comes less than a month before a verdict is due in the trial of a wealthy Japanese businessman accused of killing British woman Lucie Blackman, 21, in 2000. Police found Blackman's mutilated body buried in a seaside cave near an apartment belonging to the businessman, who has denied the charges against him. of/np/os

ITN Source | March 28, 2007

Tags:. .lesson. .ryan. .naked. .hunt. .earlier