Background of the Case

Narumi Kurosaki, a 21-year-old Japanese woman, disappeared on December 5, 2016, in Besançon, France. Authorities believe she was murdered. The primary suspect is Nicolás Zepeda, 35, her former boyfriend from Chile, whom she met while both were studying in Japan. The pair had separated two months prior to her disappearance. The case has drawn international attention due to the involvement of authorities in France, Japan, and Chile.

Legal Proceedings and Previous Verdicts

Zepeda was initially found guilty of murder on April 12, 2022, and sentenced to 28 years in prison. However, this conviction was overturned due to a procedural flaw. A retrial was held in December 2023, upholding the original 28-year sentence. Subsequently, the French Court of Cassation ordered a third trial on February 26, 2025, ruling that investigators had withheld evidence from the defense. Zepeda has remained incarcerated while awaiting the latest proceedings.

The Current Trial and Prosecution’s Argument

The third trial commenced in March 2026, with proceedings taking place at the Rhône Assize Court in Lyon. On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the prosecutor, Vincent Auger, requested a 30-year prison sentence for Zepeda. The prosecution alleges that Zepeda murdered Kurosaki in her university residence and then disposed of her body in a river, motivated by his inability to accept her decision to end their relationship for another lover.

Despite facing substantial evidence, Zepeda continues to maintain his innocence, stating, “I didn’t kill her, I loved her deeply.” However, he has admitted to providing false statements to investigators over the past ten years.

Ongoing Investigation and Unfound Body

Notably, Narumi Kurosaki’s body has never been recovered. The trial continues to focus on the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense’s arguments regarding the strength of that evidence.