Five detained as police investigate death of Laxmi Rajbanshi in Fukuoka

Five people have been detained by Japanese police as the investigation continues into the death of Nepalese student Laxmi Rajbanshi in Fukuoka, according to Nepal’s Embassy in Tokyo.

Rajbanshi, 25, was found dead in the Naka River in central Fukuoka on August 19. Japanese police have classified the case as a homicide and established a special investigation headquarters at Chuo Police Station.

Japanese media reports say Rajbanshi’s body was discovered at about 5:45am in the Tenjin area. She was found face down in the river and was pronounced dead after police and emergency crews recovered her.

Police later identified her as a 25-year-old Nepalese vocational school student living in Fukuoka’s Chuo Ward.

An autopsy found numerous injuries to her head and face. Japanese police believe she may have been struck with a hard object, although the forensic examination had not established a definitive cause of death.

Investigators also found bloodstains and signs of a struggle inside her bedroom, according to Japanese media reports. Police are examining what happened at the apartment before Rajbanshi’s body was found in the river.

Rajbanshi had reportedly left her part-time job alone at about 10:30pm on August 18. Police are investigating the possibility that she was attacked after returning home.

A neighbour told Japanese television reporters that a loud sound was heard between approximately 11:30pm and 12:30am. The report said the sound may have been consistent with something or someone falling into the river, but investigators have not publicly established what caused it.

At about 3am, a female acquaintance contacted police to report that Rajbanshi was missing. Her body was found in the river a few hours later.

The detention of five people is the latest major development in the investigation. Nepal’s Embassy in Tokyo has said Japanese police are conducting a detailed investigation into the case.

Nepalese authorities are also working with the relevant agencies on the repatriation of Rajbanshi’s body to Nepal, according to Republica.

The case has caused concern among Nepalese people living in Japan. NRN Japan has called for a thorough and impartial investigation and urged the community not to spread unverified claims or make accusations against individuals while the investigation remains ongoing.

Japanese police have not publicly established the full sequence of events leading to Rajbanshi’s death. The investigation is continuing.