Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballad, 20, was arrested Sunday in Okinawa on suspicion of robbing and murdering a 39-year-old woman at a local hotel.
The US Marine, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, allegedly killed Anna Yagi early Saturday at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel after being seen on security footage entering the property with her, according to an Okinawa Prefectural Police spokesperson who spoke to Stars and Stripes. He was spotted walking alone in an Okinawa city nightlife district before police detained and questioned him, Japanese newspaper Nikkei Asia reported.
Police allege Ballad stole Yagi’s wallet and backpack and killed her sometime between 2:10 a.m. And 4:17 a.m. Saturday. A hotel employee discovered the victim unconscious after the pair failed to check out on time, the military newspaper reported. Ballad was seen leaving the hotel alone sometime after entering with Yagi, according to the footage.
The Okinawa Prefectural Police spokesperson told Stars and Stripes later Sunday that authorities expected to refer the case to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office within 48 hours of his arrest. Ballad remained in custody as of that report.
US Ambassador George Glass addressed the case on X, posting that he had spoken with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Full cooperation as the investigation continues,” Glass wrote.
The US Embassy in Tokyo posted on X that it was “aware that a US service member is in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa.”
“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 wrote. “We extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s family.”
1st Lt. Tyler Thomas, a Marine Corps spokesman, said in an email to Stars and Stripes that the service is “actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force.”
The arrest has drawn diplomatic attention given the long history of tensions surrounding US military presence in Okinawa, where incidents involving service members have repeatedly strained relations between local residents and the American bases. The prefecture hosts the bulk of US military installations in Japan, and crimes by personnel have historically sparked protests and calls for base reductions.
Police have not disclosed a suspected motive or whether Ballad and Yagi knew each other prior to the hotel encounter. The status of the case referral to prosecutors was not immediately confirmed Monday.