Filipino arrested for 2004 rape, murder of Japanese student

MANILA, Philippines – Police in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan on Saturday, September 2, arrested a Filipino suspected of involvement in a 2004 rape and murder case, while putting two other Filipinos on an international wanted list in connection with the case.

The Japan Times reported that police arrested Lampano Jerico Mori, a 35-year-old factory worker, from Mizuho, Gifu Prefecture.

Mori, along with two Filipinos who were minors at the time, allegedly raped and killed Misato Harada, a 21-year-old university student, on January 31, 2004. 

It is unclear if the suspects had met the victim prior to the murder.

Harada’s body had multiple stab wounds when it was discovered in the Seimeigawa river in the neighboring village of Miho.

The Asahi Shimbun added that police analysis found DNA types of more than one male from the body.

Sources said DNA collected from the victim’s body matched Mori’s.

Harada was said to have been attacked after leaving her home following dinner with a friend on the evening of January 30, 2004. – Rappler.com