IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Two Americans held over death of student in Japan after Nicki Minaj concert

Two Americans have been arrested in connection the death of a female Irish exchange student in Japan, police in Tokyo were reported as saying on Sunday.

Nicola Furlong, 21, from County Wexford, Ireland, was found unconscious in a hotel room early on Thursday, hours after attending a concert by the rapper Nicki Minaj, the Irish Times said.

She was later confirmed dead at a hospital, where an autopsy indicated she may have been strangled.

The Irish Times said Furlong is believed to have gone to Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, a business and shopping hub in central Tokyo, after midnight with her female friend after the two met the American pair.

The Daily Yomiuri in Japan said police arrested two American men - a musician, 19, and a dancer, 23 - on suspicion of sexually assaulting Furlong's friend and fellow student, 21, in a taxi on the way to the hotel.

It said police suspect the men know how Furlong subsequently died.

The Japan Times said the 19-year-old suspect was alone in a room with Furlong when hotel staff went up to probe a complaint about loud noise.

None of the reports could be confirmed by msnbc.com.

Furling was attending Takasaki City University of Economics in Gunma Prefecture.

More world news from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world