US airman in Japan dies in stabbing; Japanese woman arrested

AP  |  Tokyo 

The says a US in has been stabbed and later died at a hospital.

The said in a statement that 35-year-old Master Sgt Nicholas Vollweiler, from the 374th Airlift Wing, was found unconscious in his off-base home with stab wounds Friday.

identified the suspect as 27-year-old They said she was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, allegedly stabbing Vollweiler in the neck.

Japanese media said Saito was telling police she killed Vollweiler because she did not want to end their relationship, and she intended to kill herself afterward.

Police and the US declined to comment on the reports.

"He will be dearly missed by our community," Col Otis Jones, of the 374th Airlift Wing, said of Vollweiler.

"His family, friends, fellow defenders and all of the Yokota community are in our prayers during this heartbreaking time," he added, referring to Yokota Air Base, near

The and the police are working together on the investigation. About 54,000 American troops are stationed in under a bilateral security alliance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, November 13 2018. 17:10 IST