Ep57. OKINAWA: The Suitcase Murder
In 2016, 20-year old Rina Shimabukuro vanished after sending her boyfriend a text message that she was going for a walk. Japanese authorities scoured CCTV footage for any evidence that would lead them to Rina. And they found what they were looking for when they saw an American in a red SUV buying salt from a local convenience store and pouring some inside his car.
When they tracked down the man in the red SUV back to Kadena AB, they discovered the man was Kenneth Gadson Shinzato – a U.S. Marine veteran.
Dig in with Margot as she takes you through the 2016 murder that caused outrage in Japan. Margot also digs into the 1995 Okinawa rape that began a movement to get U.S. troops off of the island of Okinawa. The perpetrators in that case were: Marcus Gill, Kendrick Ledet, and Rodrico Harp. Margot also digs into the 2006 murder-suicide of Kendrick Ledet and college student Lauren Cooper.
Kenneth Gadson Shinzato (L), Rina Shimabukuro.
Image found here.
Beautiful Lauren Cooper – college student. Victim of a murder-suicide at the hands of Kendrick Ledet (convicted sexual predator of an Okinawa rape in 1995).
Story found here.
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Episode Resources:
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4218826/Shinzato-says-fantasized-raping-women-years.html
- http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/01/28/national/crime-legal/former-okinawa-u-s-base-worker-accused-killing-woman-set-deny-murderous-intent/
- http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/21/national/crime-legal/okinawa-suspect-allegedly-admits-rape-woman-killing/
- https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/sailors-in-japan-barred-from-drinking-alcohol-leaving-base-1.413364
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/05/20/outrage-in-japan-as-american-arrested-in-connection-with-death-of-woman-on-okinawa/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/21/world/asia/okinawa-killing-marine.html
- https://www.stripes.com/defendant-in-okinawa-slaying-seeks-change-of-venue-1.417539
- https://www.scribd.com/document/317487649/Kenneth-Franklin-Shinzato-statement
- https://www.stripes.com/news/former-marine-charged-with-murder-rape-in-okinawa-woman-s-death-1.416916
- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2016/05/23/editorials/another-heinous-crime-okinawa
- https://www.stripes.com/news/defense-attorney-says-okinawa-confession-made-in-a-daze-1.410588
- https://www.stripes.com/news/us-civilian-charged-with-illegal-disposal-of-okinawa-woman-s-body-1.410349
- https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/06/08/the-suitcase-murder-tearing-the-u-s-and-japan-apart
- https://www.stripes.com/news/conditions-vary-widely-for-u-s-prisoners-in-japan-1.62878
- https://www.stripes.com/news/defense-attorney-says-okinawa-confession-made-in-a-daze-1.410588
- http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2018/09/27/29323/
- https://militaryjusticeforall.com/tag/kenneth-franklin-gadson/
- https://www.stripes.com/news/appeal-denied-for-ex-base-worker-convicted-of-okinawan-woman-s-slaying-1.548336
- https://www.rt.com/usa/347841-4th-july-canceled-japan/
- http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2017/11/22/28070/
- http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2017/11/28/28114/