Born to an affluent family, Joji Obara has lived a life of privilege. But instead of cherishing it, he wasted away his wealth and time on committing heinous crimes. Be it assault, abduction or dismemberment, Obara has done it all. Ironically, Joji is a law graduate from a reputed university. As chronicled by Netflix’s latest documentary film, Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case, Obara has surpassed the limits of atrocity by victimizing over 400 women. As a serial killer and a deadly criminal, Obara deserves nothing more than the punishment bestowed upon him by Japan’s judiciary system.
However, Hyoe Yamamoto’s documentary solely focuses on a British flight attendant, Lucie Blackman. While Joji is the main antagonist, the film doesn’t give much attention to him, dedicating its focus to Blackman’s family. So, if you’re intrigued about the whereabouts of this con man, here’s your chance.
Where Is Joji Obara Now?
Born to a mere scrap collector who later set up a gigantic empire, Joji had had a fairly stable childhood. His earlier years were spent learning languages, attending classes and basically prepping to one day take over the Obara empire and multiply its dignity. After being enrolled into a prestigious university, Joji graduated with a degree in law and politics. However, a while earlier, his father passed away, leaving his entire wealth in Joji’s name.
For the next couple of years, Obara spent his time investing in businesses and elevating his father’s empire. On his way along, he got fixated towards Western white women. In the infamous 90s recession, Obara had to harbour immense loss. Some theories regarding this phase of Joji’s life suggest his sanity started to deteriorate during this phase. However, there’s no evidence regarding the same.
After the police found him a prime suspect in Lucie’s murder, Joji’s atrocity reigned in. He was convicted of multiple assault charges, manslaughter, abduction, dismemberment and disposal of bodies in the late 2000s. Joji Obara was assigned a life sentence in 2007 by the Tokyo High Court. He currently is behind bars and not likely to receive parole either. For someone who has put humanity to shame, his early prison release doesn’t seem possible.
MORE: Who Is Lee Berger? A Storyteller, Paleoanthropologist Or King Of Controversy?
Carita Ridgway, Too Much Chloroform
Out of the hundreds of Joji’s victims, two remain prominent–Carita Ridgway and Lucie Blackman. Similar to Blackman, Carita was a bar hostess, who indulged in pay dates (called dōhan in Japanese). She was an Australian model who arrived in Tokyo for a better life. Ridgway aspired to become an actress and to be able to achieve her dream, she wanted to join an acting school. According to the federals, Carita was saving for her admission. But before she could fulfil her ambitions, Joji struck.
On an unfateful night in early 1992, Carita was offered a ride by Obara. She was accustomed to such offers and well-versed in sustaining herself. However, she couldn’t defend herself against Obara who drugged and assaulted her. Carita died from excessive chloroform and while Obara admitted her to a hospital using an alibi, she couldn’t be saved.
Joji Obara: The Final Trial
As years passed by, Joji’s atrocity climbed a notch higher. He no longer cared for his victims, nor admitted them to a hospital. Rather, he started slaughtering them and burying their bodies offshore. Hostesses became hostages and they were soon forgotten. After Carita, Joji attacked countless victims, too. However, Lucie Blackman’s case caught the spotlight and Joji was caught in the crossfire. After Blackman suddenly disappeared from a dōhan, her family raised havoc to culminate the criminal.
In the early 2000s, Lucie’s body was found dispersed in the depths of a cave, thoroughly marred and decomposed. Due to the condition of Lucie’s corpse, the investigating officers couldn’t derive any evidence. But since the cave was nearby Joji’s apartment, their suspicion grew stronger. Obara was then arrested for drugging, assaulting and murdering Blackman. As the federal officers continued the investigation and searched Joji’s apartment, they came across a diary entitled Carita Ridgway, too Much Chloroform along with an explicit videotape.
Soon, one tape transformed into ten and then thousands in a couple of minutes. The officers cited Obara’s crimes as one of the most atrocious they came across. Obara’s trial continued for almost a decade until finally, the Japanese judiciary charged him with a life sentence. While several killers similar to Joji are well-recognized now, hardly anyone comes across the devious monstrosity he portrayed. Currently, Obara isn’t liable for parol and remains behind bars but his exact location remains uncertain.
RECOMMENDED: Where Is Jeffrey Pyne Now? Is He Finally Released From Prison?