Fukuoka: The body of Japanese doctor Tetsu Nakamura, who was shot dead in Afghanistan last week, returned to his home in Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by bereaved family members and other people concerned.

The vehicle carrying the body of Nakamura, 73, arrived at his home around 3:30 p.m. (6:30 a.m. GMT), guided by police motorcycles, sources familiar with the matter told Jiji Press. The coffin was then carried into the home, the sources said.

Fukuoka prefectural police conducted a judicial autopsy on the body of Nakamura at Kurume University in the prefecture earlier in the day.

His death is being investigated as a murder case, sources familiar with the situation said. The prefectural police will provide psychological support to the bereaved family.

Nakamura was engaged in humanitarian aid work in Afghanistan for decades before being shot near Jalalabad on Wednesday. His body returned to Japan on Sunday.

Jiji Press