Japanese police say teacher found in bath was strangled

Published on 29/03/2007 14:33

A YOUNG British woman found buried in a bath of sand in Tokyo died by asphyxiation caused by strangulation, Japanese police said today.

The body of Lindsay Ann Hawker, 22, from Brandon, near Coventry, was discovered on a balcony of a flat on Monday night.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for 28-year-old Tatsuya Ichihashi, who was seen fleeing the flat.

It has emerged detectives are investigating the possibility the suspect may have re-enacted a storyline from a cartoon after they reportedly found piles of violent Manga comic books at the flat.

Police sources said Miss Hawker's throat had been constricted and she effectively had been throttled.

Police found Miss Hawker's naked body in the bath, completely buried under sand except for one hand.

She had suffered severe injuries to her face and arms.

Yesterday, her father Bill said his daughter had been "tricked" and insisted the pair were not in a relationship.