Notes apparently written by Lucie Blackman, a British woman whose dismembered body was discovered last month, have been seized at a Tokyo condominium owned by the prime suspect in her case, police sources said Monday.
The notes show handwritten figures and names that appear to be jottings detailing from whom and how much money someone had borrowed, the sources said.
Police view the notes as fresh proof linking Tokyo businessman Joji Obara, 48, to Blackman's disappearance on July 1 last year at the age of 21.
The sources earlier said a man identifying himself as Akira Takagi called one of Blackman's friends on July 3 and said, "Lucie is in religious training. She will be able to pay back debts if she stays here."
Telephone records indicate the call was made from one of Obara's cellular phones, the sources said.
After Blackman's disappearance, the Azabu Police Station received several letters concerning her alleged debts signed with her name but not written in her handwriting.
Obara has been indicted on charges of drugging and raping six women, including one case in which a woman died. He has not been charged in Blackman's case.
Blackman's remains were discovered Feb. 9 in a beach cave in Miura, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The sources said suspicions of Obara's involvement in the case have mounted following revelations such as her last known telephone call having been made from Obara's mobile phone. Obara also appeared early last July for the first time in several years at another condo he owns near the cave.
The sources also said DNA tests indicated that strands of hair found in Obara's condo in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, may have been Blackman's.
Obara is a one-time successful businessman mainly dealing in real estate who established at least nine companies since 1987.