Tokyo murder victim buried

The Irish student who was found dead in a Tokyo hotel has been buried amid emotional scenes in her native County Wexford.

Nicola Furlong, the 21-year-old whose body was discovered in a luxury Tokyo hotel having went there with a friend and two American men following a concert, was praised by family members during the funeral service in the town of Curracloe.

A dancer from South Central Los Angeles, James Blackston, and a 19-year-old musician who has not been named, have been arrested on charges of indecent assault in relation to Nicola's friend, with whom she had attended the Tokyo concert of R&B star, Niki Minaj.

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Nicola was on a year-long exchange trip to Japan when she died of strangulation.

Speaking fondly of her big sister, Andrea Furlong told mourners: "There are no words in the dictionary to describe my sister, best friend,

and rock. In time, I hope, my pain will ease. Nic truly was a ditsy blonde. She would daydream about her future as a WAG (wife and girlfriend of a soccer player) to a famous footballer and that would be Danny (her boyfriend, who plays for a local team).

Mourners attending the service in St Margaret's Church all wore pink ribbons, marking Nicola's favorite color, while a selection of her favorite songs were played to the congregation, including "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry.

 

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