On the morning of December 24, 2008, the body of 61-year-old Yoshio Nakada was discovered in front of the Potomac Plaza Apartments on Virginia Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C. Mr. Nakada, a Japanese immigrant, had sustained fatal injuries to his head, which the D.C. Medical Examiner's office later determined were the result of multiple chop wounds that caused skull fractures and a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The Metropolitan Police Department is treating his death as a homicide.
Known as a familiar and quirky presence in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, Mr. Nakada was experiencing homelessness at the time of his death. He was often seen around the George Washington University campus, frequenting locations like the basement of Ivory Tower and a local 7-Eleven. Those who knew him remembered his love for singing, particularly the song 'Danke Schoen,' and his recent attendance at meetings of a local Quaker society.
Despite speaking little English, he was described as a nice person whose zest for life was apparent to those he encountered. He had been living in Washington, D.C. since 2003, after having spent three years in a mental hospital in his native Japan.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide and Sexual Offenses Branch is actively investigating the case. Authorities have sought the public's assistance in gathering information regarding the incident and have offered a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Despite the high-traffic location of the crime scene, which is equipped with surveillance cameras, police have described the murder as a particularly difficult case. To date, there have been no announced arrests, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the death of Yoshio Nakada. The community was left shocked that such a violent act could occur in an area not known for crime, and a vigil was held in his memory, attended by friends, community members, and representatives from the Japanese Embassy.
