When 21-year-old British Airways flight attendant Lucie Blackman went lacking in 2000, her identify was headline information. Lucie had determined to take a yr out from work and reside in Tokyo for a yr however after getting there, her life, and that of her household and associates, would change endlessly.
The case of Lucie’s disappearance is now the topic of the Netflix movie, Lacking, which particulars the tragic story of what occurred to her. The movie explores the case via the lens of a bunch of fiercely decided detectives and Lucie’s father, who by no means gave up on attending to the underside of what occurred to his daughter.
Because the synopsis explains, Lacking exhibits how “their journey in opposition to the clock takes them via the seedy coronary heart of Tokyo’s darkish underbelly and in the end to the tragic reality about her brutal homicide by the hands of one of many nation’s most reprehensible sexual predators.”
What occurred to Lucie Blackman?
In 2000, Lucie determined to depart her steady job as a British Airways flight attendant and take a spot yr to reside in Tokyo along with her pal, with the hopes of exploring and dealing within the fast-paced, thrilling capital of Japan. However three weeks after their arrival, Lucie vanished and the case of her disappearance turned headline information.
Because the movie outlines, Lucie arrived in Tokyo and commenced working in a bar referred to as Casablanca as a hostess. It was right here the place she’d meet Joji Obara, an everyday consumer on the high-end membership. The pair determined to fulfill up exterior the membership however Lucie was then by no means seen once more.
MORE: 5 must-watch exhibits to take a look at on Netflix in August 2023
MORE: The Deepest Breath: What occurred to divers Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan?
© TOSHIFUMI KITAMURALucie’s roommate and pal she had moved to Japan with, Louise Phillips, had been instructed she had joined a cult, however an investigation into one thing extra sinister then commenced.
Lucie’s father, Tim, outlines within the documentary how he obtained a cellphone name a few days after his daughter had disappeared. At first, nonetheless, he was sure that the matter could be resolved. “I mentioned, ‘Nicely how are you aware she is lacking?’,” earlier than he added: “I instantly thought there have to be some rational reason why she has not received in contact.”
© NetflixHowever Lucie didn’t get in contact and, for the following seven months, a global investigation occurred to search out out what occurred to the 21-year-old. Authorities and authorities officers within the UK, together with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Japanese counterpart, made it their precedence to search out Lucie.
Joji Obara, who was a Japanese-Korean businessman, was made the principle suspect in Lucie’s disappearance after he admitted to assembly along with her on the evening of their date, nonetheless, he denied involvement in her going lacking.
© NetflixIt wasn’t till the next yr that the harrowing reality got here to gentle. On February 9, 2001, authorities discovered Lucie’s dismembered physique near the place Obara’s dwelling was situated.
Two months later, police arrested Obara and he was charged with the kidnapping, rape, and disposal of Lucie’s physique. He was additionally charged with related crimes to 9 different ladies together with the dying of an Australian lady, Carita Ridgeway, between 1992 and 2000.
The place is Joji Obara now?
The trial of Joji Obara went on for 5 years and in April 2007, he was discovered responsible and given a life sentence for the rape prices referring to the opposite victims. Nonetheless, a lot to the horror of the Blackman household, the courtroom discovered him not responsible of the fees in opposition to him in relation to Lucie.
Nonetheless, this resolution was appealed and in 2008, the household obtained a small quantity of justice when he was discovered responsible of the kidnapping, dismemberment, and disposal of Lucie’s physique, in line with the Impartial. However the courts dominated that there was not sufficient forensic proof to find out the homicide cost.
Obara continues to serve his life sentence in a jail in Japan to at the present time.
© Getty PhotographsWhat has the response been to Lacking: The Lucie Blackman Case?
The documentary has obtained reward for the way sensitively Netflix dealt with the case. Writing on X, previously often called Twitter, one viewer shared their admiration for the household and associates of Lucie, in addition to the detectives who labored on the case, for sharing the harrowing story behind her tragic dying.
They wrote: “Simply watched this and I’ve such admiration for Lucie’s dad Tim and the way sturdy he was and the Japanese detectives who’re so respectful of Lucie’s reminiscence yr after yr. Tastefully completed and positively price a watch.”
© TOSHIFUMI KITAMURAOne other shared on social media: “Discovered this [film] actually fascinating. Vaguely recall the 2000 case & this exhibits how the Japanese investigation took a while however finally received justice for the household.”
A 3rd commented: “#MissingTheLucieBlackmanCase is so terrible. I want victims of violent sexual crime could be taken extra significantly. I really feel for all of the victims and hope they will heal #RIPLucieBlackman.”
