(Newser)
–
One of two American men being held after the suspected homicide of an Irish exchange student in Tokyo has reportedly worked as a dancer for the Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown, and Jennifer Lopez. James Jamari Blackston, 23, and a 19-year-old musician pal were busted after Nicola Furlong, 21, was found dying in a hotel room. She and a female friend had been invited by the men for drinks to the upscale Keio Plaza Hotel after attending a Nicki Minaj concert, reports ABC News. The men are currently charged with indecent assault on Furlong's friend, who was attacked in a taxi on the way to the hotel while she was in a near-comatose state, officials tell the Japan Times. Investigators believe Furlong was strangled, likely during a sexual assault, Japanese media is reporting.
Investigators believe the men either plied the women with alcohol or spiked their drinks before taking them to the hotel, reports the Irish Independent. Furlong was a student at Takasaki City University on a year-long exchange program from Dublin, and was scheduled to return home in a matter of weeks. "We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter," said a statement from her parents. “Nicola was a warm, generous, stunning person who always had time for her family and other people."
