Nicki Minaj Pays Tribute to Murdered Fan, Nicola Furlong Found Dead in Japan
by Georgette Cline
Nicki Minaj was in Japan last week to perform hits off her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and this week, the rapper learned that a 21-year-old fan in attendance at her show was murdered.
Nicola Furlong, who was in Japan as a foreign exchange student from Dublin City University, was found dead in her Tokyo hotel room on May 25, several hours after watching the "Beez in the Trap" performer at Zepp Toyko.
"Saddened to learn one of my precious fans; found tragically murdered in Japan. My love & prayers are with the family of Nicola Furlong," the Young Money MC wrote via Twitter.
Police have arrested two American men -- 26-year-old James Blackston and an unnamed 19-year-old -- in connection with Furlong's death.
Tokyo police released a statement about Furlong's death, according to IrishCentral.com. "These two men allegedly took advantage of a female unable to resist due to the fact she was in a comatose state from a highly alcoholic beverage.
"On a taxi ride between Shibuya and Shinjuku, they took advantage of a woman by touching her body."
An autopsy says that Furlong was likely strangled, Japan's Mainichi reports.