Woman Arrested For Killing Virtual Husband In Video Game

A woman has been arrested in Japan after she killed her virtual husband in a popular video game, reports the BBC.

The 43-year-old was reportedly furious at finding herself suddenly divorced in an online game known as 'Maplestory'.

Police say she illegally accessed log-in details of the man playing her husband, and went on to kill off his character.

The woman, a piano teacher, is in jail in Sapporo waiting to learn if she faces charges of illegally accessing a computer and manipulating data.

She was arrested on Wednesday and taken 620 miles (1,000 km) from her home in southern Miyazaki to Sapporo - where her "husband", a 33-year-old office worker lives.

If charged with the offences, and convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

A police official said the woman used the man's login and password to log in to the game to carry out the virtual murder.

"I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry," she was quoted as telling investigators.

Maplestory is a Korean-made game, which has grown in popularity and has a strong fan base in the Far East.

The game centres on defeating monsters, but players can also engage in social activities and relationships - including marriages - through their digital characters.