Dad’s heartbreaking tribute to ‘bright young lady’ teacher daughter found dead in Japan – World News
Steve Hodgkinson said it was the “worst news imaginable” after police contacted him to confirm Alice’s body had been found in Japan, where she was working at a school in Yokohama, near Tokyo
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The devastated dad of a 28-year-old teacher found dead in Japan has said the family is at a “complete loss”.
Alice Hodgkinson was reported missing last week after she did not show up for work at the school where she taught in Yokohama, near Tokyo.
Her father, Steve Hodgkinson said it was the “worst news imaginable” after police contacted him to confirm the tragic discovery.
He previously said his last contact with Alice was when he emailed her to thank her for a Father’s Day present last month.
Mr Hodgkinson, 68, told The Sun : “We are at a complete loss and her mother is struggling, she’s beside herself with grief.”
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The bereaved father said he does not know if he and his 32-year-old son Peter will travel to Japan, saying: “If we go out there we’ll need to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks. But we need to bring Alice home.”
He said that no murder investigation had been opened and police are not looking for anyone in connection with Alice’s death.
The heartbreaking update comes after a frantic search following her disappearance.
Her father received an email from his daughter on June 30, the day after the last confirmed sighting of her – and he said nothing seemed out of the ordinary, reports NottinghamshireLive.
“There was no sign within the email that anything was wrong. It was a normal communication,” he said.
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Mr Hodgkinson previously said: “I’d got a Father’s Day present from her, a membership to Sheffield University Theatre, and I responded with an email thanking her.
“She then sent an email in reply, that was our last communication and everything seemed absolutely fine.
“As far as we know she wasn’t depressed, she seemed to be leading a happy, fulfilling life.”
It appears Alice took her own life and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death, according to reports.
Interpol had joined forces with Nottinghamshire and Japanese police in the search for Alice.
She graduated with a Masters degree in Psychology, though didn’t speak any Japanese and relied on Google Translate.
She shared an apartment block with different nationality tenants and planned to remain in the country for another year.
Her brother, Peter Hodgkinson, previously issued an appeal to find her.
He said: “I know that the police went round to her home again today (Monday 5th July) so the investigation is continuing.”
A spokesperson from Nottinghamshire Police said: “When a person goes missing who is originally from our area we will always seek to work with relevant authorities and support local families to try and trace them.”
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