Japanese actress Sei Ashina has passed away in a suspected suicide. The actress was found dead by hanging in her apartment by her brother on Monday, September 14. He went to check up on Sei after she stopped replying to his calls and text messages on September 13. Ashina was just 36 years old.
The news was confirmed by the actor’s reps, who said: “The detailed situation is currently under investigation, but we would like to ask the media to consider the deep sorrow of their families and refrain from interviewing them.”
As per a report by The Japan Times, the initial investigation has led the authorities to believe that Sei’s death was a suicide. But Variety reports that no suicide note has been found in the apartment.
Ashina, who began her career as a fashion model, starred in numerous movies and TV series. She was a part of NHK period drama “Yae no Sakura” (Yae’s Sakura) and the police drama “Aibo” (Partner). She gained fame after she played a significant role in Francois Girard’s 2007 film Silk. The movie also featured Keira Knightley and Michael Pitt. One of her last performance came in Ship of Theseus, which was released earlier this year.