Japanese authorities say two men-allegedly apart of Nicki Minaj’s entourage-have been detained for questioning into the rape and strangulation death of 21 year-old Irish exchange student, Nicola Furlong. Reportedly Tokyo officers would not confirm if 23-year-old dancer James Blackston and 19-year-old musician Larry Perry are indeed apart of Nicki Minaj’s entourage. CNN reports that although the men are not charged in Furlong’s death, they were arrested in suspicion for touching the victim’s friend improperly in the taxi last Thursday. Citing privacy concerns, authorities would not say how all four ended up together. What Tokyo police are confirming is that Furlong met up with the men after attending the Nicki Minaj concert. According to CNN, “ The hotel staff found Furlong unconscious after customers complained of loud noises coming from the room, police said. When the staff got to the room, they found her in the room with the 19-year-old and called the fire department, Tokyo authorities said. The death is believed to be as a result of suffocation by cervical compression, police said.”
Autopsy reports have led police to believe the teenager was sexually assaulted after the strangulation. Japanese authorities are continuing their investigation surrounding the circumstances on Nicola Furlong’s death. The U.S. State Department has confirmed the arrest but no other details have been released regarding this case. Stayed tuned to HHE for more details as the story develops!
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