>>6161822 >>6161790 >>6161642 PB

This is VERY BIG. Read the Statement in red. Something has changed, the SOFA [Status of Forces Agreement]? Japan in control of this investigation and the Military playing down the fact Japan is in charge is a major development.

Japan says US sailor kills woman, self on Okinawa

CHATAN, Japan — A U.S. sailor fatally stabbed a Japanese woman and then killed himself on Okinawa, Japanese officials said, according to reports.

The two were found dead Saturday morning at an apartment in the Kuwae district of Chatan, Okinawa police said.

The sailor, age 31, whose identity was not released, is attached to III Marine Division, a III MEF spokesman said. A spokesman for the Okinawa Prefectural Police said the sailor and the woman, in her 40s, were probably in a relationship.

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The two were pronounced dead at the scene in a six-story apartment building, police said. The spokesman said the woman’s child was present when the incident occurred and called a relative, who called police at 7:26 a.m. First responders from Chatan Fire Station responded at 7:59 a.m., said fire station spokesman Jun Ikema.

First Lt. David Mancilla of III MEF said the Naval Criminal Service is “in support” of the Okinawa Prefectural Police.

"We are aware of an incident resulting in the death of an apparent U.S. Navy Sailor with III Marine Division and a resident of Okinawa,” Mancilla said in an email. “This is an absolute tragedy and we are fully committed to supporting the investigation into the incident.”

Stars and Stripes reporter Matthew Burke and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japan-says-us-sailor-kills-woman-self-on-okinawa-1.576814