Stalker admits stabbing Japanese pop idol Mayu Tomita more than 20 times after his advances were rejected
Singer had earlier complained to police that the suspect was posting obsessive comments about her on Twitter and blogging sites
A man under arrest for stabbing a pop idol repeatedly has told police that the attack in western Tokyo was sparked when the victim rejected a gift from him, investigative sources said Sunday.
Tomohiro Iwazaki, a 27-year-old man, stabbed Mayu Tomita, a 20-year-old college student, more than 20 times including in the neck, chest, arms and back, shortly after 5 pm Saturday in Koganei. The assault came shortly before Tomita was due to take the stage to perform with other women in an idol event.
Iwazaki, who was arrested at the site, told police, “I sent a gift (to Tomita) but it was returned. I asked her why but she gave an evasive answer, so I became mad and stabbed her numerous times.”
Tomita has been appearing in pop idol shows and television programmes for children, and the police suspect Iwazaki is a fan of hers.
According to the police, the suspect intercepted Tomita in hopes of talking to her at JR Musashi-Koganei Station before the assault occurred.