Okinawa homicide victim’s family speaks out after Marine’s arrest

The family of Okinawa homicide victim Anna Yagi is calling for justice after a U.S. Marine’s arrest. Anna Yagi is pictured April 24, 2022, in this screenshot from her Facebook page. (Facebook) The family of a Japanese woman killed this month on Okinawa is demanding punishment equal to the severity of the crime, saying they are struggling through each day with grief, anger and fear. Relatives of Anna Yagi, 39, who was found dead Oct. 3 at a hotel in Naha’s Wakasa district, issued a statement this week through their attorney, Kenichi Kobayashi. “We want the person who took her life to face consequences equal to the gravity of the act,” wrote the family members, who were not identified.

Okinawa Prefectural Police arrested Marine Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, on suspicion of killing and robbing Yagi. He has denied the allegations, according to police. The family declined to discuss the circumstances of Yagi’s death while the investigation is ongoing but said “taking a human life is something that can never be justified.” “We are barely making it through each day, grappling with a multitude of emotions — deep sorrow, shock, regret, anger, fear and anxiety,” they wrote. The family expressed “heartfelt gratitude” to those who had offered condolences and encouragement, while asking others to respect their privacy. “Her dignity