'Our mum thought she was flying to meet the love of her life. Now she’s in a Japanese jail.'

When Donna Nelson, 58, met a man named Kelly online, the Indigenous community leader thought she had found 'the one'.

Over two years, Donna and Kelly built their relationship. Kelly spoke of his fashion business and his dreams of building a life with Donna, and he eventually invited the Perth-based grandmother to visit him in Japan.

Donna, a mother to five daughters, packed her bags and set off for her trip. But the journey began to unravel when Donna made a stopover in Laos in 2023. Kelly had asked her to pick up a suitcase, reportedly full of just clothing samples.

However, when Donna touched down at Narita Airport, Japanese customs discovered 2kg of methamphetamine hidden beneath a false bottom in the case.

In December 2024, Donna was sentenced to six years in jail. She was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Last week, she lost her appeal against the sentence.

Mamamia sat down with two of Donna's daughters, Kristal Hilaire and Ashlee Charles, to learn what comes next for the grandmother.

Listen to The Quicky speak to Donna's relatives. Post continues below.

A family's fight.

Donna was convinced her appeal would be successful. The fact it wasn't has been an "emotional" journey for the grandmother and family.

"She had zero doubt in her mind that she would be coming home soon after us," Kristal said. "She's soon to be a grandmother again, for a little girl, and she really thought she would be coming home to welcome the next grandchild into the family.

"She was still in a bit of shock. We were able to just tell her, 'we're not going to stop fighting — we're going to have you home.'"

Donna's life behind bars is limited to the walls of her cell. She has to eat in her cell. She can't sing. She can't talk to other detainees.

Each day, she gets only 30 minutes of fresh air.

"She's in her cell for 23.5 hours a day," Kristal said. "For her, the most difficult part of her detainment, or, I hate using the word imprisonment, it just makes me really uncomfortable.

"But, the most difficult thing for her is the isolation … The loneliness is something that really affects her."

Kristal said the family's next move will "come down to what mum decides."

Kristal Hilair speaks to reporters at the Tokyo District Court after the appeal verdict. Image: Eugene Hoshiko/AP via AAP.

"As a family, we hope that she doesn't appeal. We feel that we can have more faith in our government to act on her behalf and to try and have the right discussions to convince the Japanese government that bringing her home is the best thing to do."

If Donna isn't home by Christmas, Kristal said she would do "whatever she can" to go and visit.

"Christmas is like the worst day. It's not a happy time for us because our last good memories with Mum were at Christmas time," she said.

"It's not a public holiday for Christmas in Japan, so I'd be able to see her on Christmas Day."

How Donna's trial unfolded.

The 58-year-old has always maintained she had no knowledge of the drugs.

"If I had known or even suspected illegal drugs were in the suitcase, I would have never agreed to carry it," she said during her trial.

It was never going to be an easy battle for Donna — Japan's justice system boasts a staggering 99 per cent conviction rate.

While her defence team argued that Donna was a victim of a love scam, manipulated by a man who preyed on her trust and vulnerability, the prosecutors painted a different picture.

They argued that Donna had ignored warning signs, such as the "strangeness" of Kelly's request and the inconsistencies in her travel plans.

They sought a 10-year sentence, citing her decision not to declare the suitcase as hers and her claim that she was travelling for business as reasons to label her "untrustworthy".

Ashlee (pictured left) took the stand during her mother Donna's (pictured right) trial. Image: Supplied.

During the trial, the judges did acknowledge that Donna had been "deceived" by Kelly.

"The defendant committed the crime because she was deceived by Kelly, and she had hopes of marriage," Judge Masakazu Kamakura stated. "The court should be clear to show the crime was not financially worthwhile."

Defence lawyer Rie Nishida said the decision was "unreasonable."

"We need to talk with Donna, but we will fight until the end, until she gets freedom," the lawyer said.

Donna's five daughters, who flew to Japan to support her during the trial, were devastated but resolute.

Ashlee even took the stand on behalf of her mother.

"That was the most traumatic experience, I reckon," she said. "It was really, really hard, but the hardest part above all of that was seeing my mum brought in like a criminal, like in handcuffs, with two big giant guards, and she's this little tiny woman."And as soon as she saw me, she was just crying."

For the family, the fight is about more than clearing Donna's name — it is about justice for a woman they believe was manipulated and betrayed.

Australia's ambassador to Japan, Justin Hayhurst, emphasised the government's commitment to providing consular support for Donna.

"The Australian government has been here throughout this trial to provide consular support to Ms Nelson and her family, and we will continue to provide that support," he said.

Watch: A behind-the-scenes look at CrimeCon. Post continues after video.

Meanwhile, Kelly roams free. Nobody knows where he is, and nobody seems to be looking for him.

Japanese authorities told Donna's daughters it was outside their jurisdiction. Australian police also aren't investigating.

With the authorities not lending a hand, Donna's daughters have been doing their own sleuthing to track Kelly down themselves.

They're also looking into the steps required for an international prisoner transfer. Meanwhile, Donna has lodged an appeal.

"Nobody actually looked for this person who clearly had been asking her to bring the suitcase and planned her trip. Why?" Kristal previously told Australian Story.

"No-one thought to try to find out who he was and catch him out. That's the real criminal."

If none of her legal options are successful, Donna (pictured) will be released in late 2029. Image: Supplied

The sisters said their mother was not stupid. Kelly had reeled her in over two years. They talked every day; in the morning, during the day, even before bed. Throughout that time, he never asked for money or spoke about drugs.

Her daughters told Australian Story Kelly planted the seed of selling suitcases in his fashion business before the trip was proposed. When Donna stopped over in Laos, he called to say he'd found the perfect one and had his associate come meet her just as she was about to head to the airport.

As you'd expect, Donna looked through the suitcase and only found clothes inside. Her daughters believed this was to distract her from the drugs hiding beneath a false bottom.

Kelly claimed he wanted to make Donna happy and promised they'd marry in a big ceremony with her daughters.

Donna is someone who chooses to see the good in people. Her daughters say it shouldn't cost her her life.

If none of her legal options are successful, Donna will be released in late 2029.

This article was first published in December 2024 and has since been updated.

Feature Image: Supplied.