People in nearby office buildings were startled by the cries of Airi Sato as her livestream abruptly cut off. The 22-year-old influencer was fatally stabbed while broadcasting to over 6,000 followers. Airi, known for documenting her daily life on the app WhoWatch, was attacked in Tokyo by a man she owed £13,000 to, according to the police.
Her viewers, alarmed by the sudden blackout and the sound of emergency sirens, frantically sought help through the live chat. Sadly, their efforts were in vain as Airi succumbed to stab wounds on her head, neck, and stomach before reaching the hospital. The authorities swiftly arrested a 42-year-old man named Kenji Takano on suspicion of murder. While he confessed to the stabbing, he claimed he did not intend to take Airi’s life.
Witnesses who heard Airi’s screams initially mistook the assailant for a “good Samaritan” assisting her. The police revealed that Airi and Kenji had a history of acquaintance, with Kenji having lent her around £13,100. Despite court decisions favoring Kenji, Airi had not repaid the debt, as reported by TokyoHive.
Kenji disclosed his interactions with Airi, stating that he had met her through her livestreams three years prior and had financial disagreements with her. He had observed Airi’s streaming schedule that day, where she was exploring the city’s train stations. Travelling to Tokyo, he was able to locate her by identifying landmarks in her videos.
Incidents of violence are uncommon in Tokyo, a city celebrated for its cleanliness and orderly streets. However, this tragic event is not the first instance of a female social media figure being fatally attacked in the region. In a previous case, a man was sentenced to prison for 17 years after murdering another influencer who had ended a relationship with him.
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