On July 26, 2023, Netflix is set to release a gripping true crime documentary titled “Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case.” The documentary delves into the tragic story of Lucie Blackman, a 21-year-old British tourist who went missing in Japan in July 2000, only to be later found dead. The heart-wrenching film sheds light on the harrowing events surrounding her disappearance and the subsequent investigation.
Joji Obara
Joji Obara, born Kim Sung-jong, was a Korean-Japanese serial rapist whose heinous crimes shocked the world. Born on August 10, 1952, to Zainichi Korean parents in Osaka, Obara grew up in a privileged environment. His father’s success as a property owner and businessman provided him with an elite education, including tutoring in various subjects. After inheriting property in Osaka and Tokyo following his father’s death, he attended Keio University, where he graduated with degrees in politics and law.
Obara’s life took a dark turn when he lost his fortune and business during the 1990s recession. Desperate to regain his wealth, he turned to real estate speculation and allegedly used his business as a front for the yakuza syndicate Sumiyoshi-kai, engaging in money laundering activities. Among his known victims was Carita Simone Ridgway, an Australian model who was working as a bar hostess in Tokyo’s Ginza area to finance her acting school aspirations. Obara drugged and killed Ridgway in 1992, a crime for which he was later found guilty of manslaughter.
Lucie Blackman’s Journey
Before her untimely disappearance, Lucie Blackman, a former British Airways flight attendant, embarked on a year-long journey to Tokyo with her friend Louise Phillips to explore new parts of the world and earn money. While in Tokyo, she worked at a nightclub called Casablancas as a hostess, where part of her job involved going on paid dates with customers.
The Tragic Disappearance
The tragedy began when Lucie failed to respond to her friend’s calls after a particular date. Concerned for her safety, her family flew to Tokyo and initiated a highly publicized campaign to find their beloved daughter. Sadly, in February 2001, Lucie’s lifeless body was discovered, leaving her family and friends devastated.
The Accusation
Joji Obara, a Korean-Japanese serial rapist and murderer, was accused of drugging, raping, and killing Lucie Blackman. His trial commenced on July 4, 2001, but due to insufficient evidence, he was acquitted of Lucie’s rape and murder in April 2007. However, Obara was found guilty of multiple rape charges and the manslaughter of Australian model Carita Ridgway, who he had drugged with chloroform, leading to her death in 1992.
The Appeal Trial
In response to criticism surrounding the initial trial, an appeal trial was conducted in March 2008 at the Tokyo High Court. Subsequently, Obara was found guilty of the abduction, dismemberment, and disposal of Lucie Blackman’s body in December of the same year. The Supreme Court of Japan rejected Obara’s appeal in December 2010, sustaining his life sentence.
Life Behind Bars
Despite the lack of a death penalty for his charges, Joji Obara remains imprisoned for life due to his heinous crimes against multiple women, including the manslaughter of Carita Ridgway and the abduction and murder of Lucie Blackman.
“Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case” is a poignant and emotional true crime documentary that highlights the tragic fate of a young British tourist in Japan and the relentless pursuit of justice for her and other victims. The film serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind seemingly ordinary circumstances and the importance of seeking truth and accountability in the face of unspeakable crimes.