A Japanese heavy metal musician accused of becoming unruly with a flight crew has died in Saipan after appearing in court over the incident, authorities said. He was 45.
U.S. Attorney Alicia A.G. Limtiaco said Sunday in a court filing requesting the dismissal of federal charges against Taiji Sawada that he had died.
Police Commissioner Ramon Mafnas said Sawada was taken to Commonwealth Health Center's intensive care unit Thursday night but he declined to provide other details, according to a report by the Saipan Tribune.
Earlier Thursday, Sawada appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands on a flight interference charge.
FBI agent Mary Goff said Sawada was arrested July 11 after he had to be physically restrained during a flight from Tokyo to Saipan.
Sawada played the bass in the popular heavy metal band X and had recently formed his own band.
There was no immediate word from authorities on the U.S. commonwealth on the cause of death.