Friends suspect that Ai Iijima is murdered

Police suspects that death of Japanese ex-pornography actress Ai Iijima is caused by over-consumption of sleeping pills, but friends believed she was doing well before her death and had no reason for suicide. They suspect she was murdered.

Ten days before her death, Iijima informed her artiste managing company that she has opened a new company. Veteran actress Utsumi Midori, Iijima's close friend says, "Could it be murder? I met her a few days ago at a restaurant. She was happily telling me that she has formed her own company and is finally able to develop a new career. I can never forget the smile on her face that day," she said.

Iijima has been updating the public of her life on her blog until Dec 5. Since she stopped blogging, fans have been leaving comments expressing their worries. After news of her death broke out, her blog hits increased rapidly. There were more than 2700 messages as at 0000hrs Dec 25; on Dec 26, there were more than 9000 messages. Her blog has also become a space for mourning.

Iijima's blog do not gloss over her personal life and health problems. In Feb 2008, she posted an entry titled "I am sick"; informing the public of her mental health deterioration and that she will be hospitalized for treatment. Besides that, she also revealed on her blog that she had tinnitus and gastric problems.

According to the autopsy results, Iijima had been dead for almost a week before her body was found lying sideways on her bed. No will was found at the scene, but there were sleeping pills and cold tablets. It is speculated that Iijima had consumed large quantity of sleeping pills before her death. These pills are known to obstruct one's respiratory system.

Forensic doctors were unable to ascertain reason of death because her body was highly decomposed, but police hopes to find leads to Iijima's death through the pills and quantity taken.

Indonesia's former First Lady, Dewi Sukarno (born Nemoto Naoko), friend of Iijima, wrote on her own blog on Christmas Day, revealing leads that Iijima had been receiving threats.

In a blog post entitled "Iijima's death", Sukarno wrote: "I'm in deep remorse. I should have went over to be with her and listened to her", "someone took videos and photos of her", "she was threatened by the person who took those photos", "she was living in fear", "she must have resigned from showbiz because she is afraid of something or someone", and "I am not sure if this incident has anything to do with her sudden death".

Sukarno is upset that she was not with Iijima, despite knowing that the latter had no one else to confide in regarding the issue. Sukarno also wrote: "I just feel like crying; I just want to hug her in my arms", "Though she was wrong, I still find her pitiful. I hate those who pushed her limits; they are inhumane. I will never forgive them. Those plotting against her, show your true self!"