Asami Nagakiya, a 30-year-old Japanese national and steelpannist visiting Trinidad to play in Panorama and attend the carnival celebration, was found dead Wednesday morning, February 10th.
Her body was discovered by a homeless man under bushes at the Queen’s Park Savannah, after he noticed her bright yellow bikini bottom through the brush. She was found with a laceration on her elbow and bruises on her waist. During the autopsy, the cause of death was found to be strangulation. Authorities initially stated that no indication of rape was found; further forensic tests will be done through DNA analysis.
Nagakiya, a well-known pannist in her home of Hokkaido, Japan, had just performed at Panorama Finals with the PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Steel Orchestra over the weekend. She was a member of several bands in her home country, including Pan Note Magic, Panorama Steel Orchestra and OTSK, among others.
Having performed with the band since 2012, Nagakiya had never before participated in Carnival Mas, a parade-like event where attendees don masquerade outfits and dance along a route with their chosen “band”. This year, she chose to try it and wore a yellow bikini as her masquerade costume along with others as part of the Legacy band.
Some controversy arose after she was identified when Raymond Tim Kee, mayor of Port-of-Spain (the capital of the country and city of the crime) commented on Nagakiya. In his comments, the mayor effectively blamed her for her own death because of what she wore and her possible behavior as a carnival attendee.
“You know before Carnival I did make a comment about vulgarity and lewdness,” Kee said during a Wednesday press conference, according to local media station Loop. “The woman has the responsibility to ensure that [she is] not abused…and my argument was you could enjoy Carnival without going through that routine … of prancing and partying. Then why you can’t continue with that and maintain some kind of dignity?”
Kee’s comments unleashed a slew of angry comments on social media denouncing the mayor. Soon enough a petitionwas posted online calling for his resignation. It has so far gathered over 7,000 signatures.
“Tim Kee is an example of everything wrong with leadership in this country. His thinking is archaic and his opinion essentially exonerates the perpetrators of any responsibility. He has, effectively, endorsed murder,” said Ryan Ramoutar, a signer of the petition. “A person with this type of mind set is not suited for public office, especially in a country whose watch words are: Discipline, Tolerance and Production,” said Ria C. Toney, a resident of Port-of-Spain, who also signed the petition.
While some residents focused on the words of a politician, many others called to ignore anything being said other than words of love for who some are calling the “Fallen Angel of Pan.” Other comments poured in from friends and non-friends, pannists and locals in Trinidad; all positive, heartfelt and saddened by the news.
“My heart goes out to your family. My heart aches for your family. So heartbroken. May the creator mend your hearts and give you all the strength to heal,” said Jemelia Pepperot Lewis on one news site’s Facebook page.
The Silver Stars organization posted a message about its slain member as a prelude for its performance Thursday night as a tribute to Nagakiya.
“We are truly heartbroken to have lost a member of our PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars family, one of our bright stars, and a loving friend. Asami Nagakiya was a truly beautiful, and gentle soul,” read the band’s message. “We had the pleasure of Asami joining our steel band family in 2012, she fell in love with us and we loved her in return. She was warm, friendly, and always greeted you with her signature broad smile and a hug. Everyone loved Asami and there is not one person that has anything negative to say about her.”
Local police are currently investigating the death and treating it as a crime in cooperation with two unidentified friends of Nagakiya. According to authorities, All resources are currently being utilized by police to solve the murder.
Asami Nagakiya performs her own composition “Dreaming Girl.”
Nagakiya performs her arrangement of “Colours Again” by Mark Loquan, with Pan Note Magic.
