Netflix is scheduled to release a new true crime documentary titled “Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case” on July 26. The documentary delves into the distressing narrative of Lucie Blackman, a 21-year-old British tourist who was reported missing in Japan in July 2000. Her body was later discovered.

Before her disappearance, Lucie Blackman, who had prior experience working as a British Airways flight attendant, made the decision to embark on a year-long adventure in Tokyo with her friend Louise Phillips. Their primary motivations were to explore new parts of the world and to earn money while abroad. Lucie took up employment as a hostess at a nightclub called Casablancas in Tokyo, where part of her job involved going on paid dates with customers.

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Following the silence from Lucie Blackman after a particular date, her friend’s concerns grew, prompting her family to take immediate action. They flew to Tokyo and initiated a highly publicized campaign to locate their missing daughter. In February 2001, Lucie’s body was found. The investigation led to the accusation of Joji Obara, a Korean-Japanese serial rapist, as the perpetrator behind her murder.

Joji Obara faced initial accusations of drugging, raping, and killing Lucie Blackman. The trial started on July 4, 2001, merely five months after her body was discovered in a seaside cave near a small fishing village, located just an hour outside of Tokyo.

Joji Obara was acquitted of the rape and murder charges related to Lucie Blackman’s case in April 2007, primarily due to insufficient evidence. However, Obara was found guilty of multiple rape charges and was also held responsible for the manslaughter of Australian model Carita Ridgway. Carita had lost her life in 1992, after being drugged with chloroform by Obara.

In the case involving Carita Ridgway, prosecutors decided to charge Joji Obara with “rape resulting in death” instead of pursuing a murder charge. Obara was sentenced to life imprisonment.

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Due to significant criticism surrounding Lucie Blackman’s case, particularly regarding the absence of crucial forensic evidence during the initial trial, an appeal trial was convened in March 2008 at the Tokyo High Court.

The Tokyo High Court, in December of the same year, delivered a guilty verdict against Joji Obara for the charges of abduction, dismemberment, and disposal of Lucie Blackman’s body.  The Supreme Court of Japan also rejected Obara’s appeal in December 2010 and sustained his life sentence.