A US Marine has been arrested in Japan on suspicion of killing a woman and taking her personal belongings, according to reports.
Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballad, 20, is accused of killing 39-year-old Anna Yagi early Saturday at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel in Okinawa, a local police spokesperson told Stars and Stripes.
Ballad, who is assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was reportedly captured on surveillance footage entering the hotel with Yagi and leaving alone later, the military newspaper reported.
A hotel employee discovered Yagi unconscious inside the room after the pair failed to check out at the scheduled time, according to the report.
Investigators allege that Ballad took Yagi’s wallet and backpack and killed her sometime between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. Saturday, the outlet reported.
Ballad was questioned by police after he was seen walking through an Okinawa nightlife district. He was arrested Sunday, according to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei Asia.
Okinawa Prefectural Police planned to refer the case to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office within 48 hours of the arrest, a police spokesperson told Stars and Stripes later Sunday. Ballad remained in custody.
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Police said Ballad denies the allegations.
The US Marine Corps is “actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force,” spokesman 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas said in an email to Stars and Stripes.
US Ambassador George Glass said on X that he had spoken with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and promised “full cooperation as the investigation continues.”
The US Embassy in Tokyo said it was “aware that a US service member is in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa,” in a post on X.
“As an investigation is underway to determine the facts of the case, the United States is communicating and cooperating with the Government of Japan and local authorities,” the embassy said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s family.”
The Post contacted the US Marine Corps for comment.
