Takahiro Shiraishi, infamously known as the "Twitter killer," lured his victims through social media and ended their lives, sparking nationwide debates on online suicide discussions.
Japan Executes Notorious 'Twitter Killer' Takahiro Shiraishi
Japan Executes Notorious 'Twitter Killer' Takahiro Shiraishi
Japan carries out capital punishment for the first time since 2022, executing the man responsible for nine brutal murders in 2017.
Japan has executed Takahiro Shiraishi, the infamous "Twitter killer," responsible for the gruesome murders of nine individuals in 2017. This marks Japan's first implementation of capital punishment since 2022, reigniting discussions around the country's justice system and societal safety. Shiraishi, now executed at the age of 36, gained notoriety after enticing vulnerable young people, mainly women aged between 15 to 26, through his Twitter account where he claimed he could help them end their pain.
The chilling case came to public attention in October 2017 when police uncovered dismembered body parts in Zama, a city close to Tokyo. Shiraishi had admitted to luring his victims to his apartment under the pretext of assisting them with their suicidal thoughts, even suggesting that he would join them in their tragic fate. His social media profile stated, "I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM [direct message] me anytime."
Investigators discovered nine dismembered bodies hidden in coolers and toolboxes in Shiraishi's home, dubbed a "house of horrors" by the media. While the prosecution pushed for the death penalty, Shiraishi’s legal defense argued for a lesser charge based on "murder with consent," claiming that his victims had agreed to be killed. However, Shiraishi later retracted his defense team's claims and stated that he had acted without consent.
His trial attracted significant public attention, with hundreds of people attending his verdict hearing in December 2020, during which he was sentenced to death. Following the shocking nature of the murders and their impact on society, Twitter revised its policies to prohibit the promotion of suicide or self-harm on its platform.
Japan's Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki, who authorized Shiraishi’s execution, underscored the profound societal anxiety triggered by his actions, emphasizing that Shiraishi acted out of self-serving motives related to his sexual desires and financial gain.
The chilling case came to public attention in October 2017 when police uncovered dismembered body parts in Zama, a city close to Tokyo. Shiraishi had admitted to luring his victims to his apartment under the pretext of assisting them with their suicidal thoughts, even suggesting that he would join them in their tragic fate. His social media profile stated, "I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM [direct message] me anytime."
Investigators discovered nine dismembered bodies hidden in coolers and toolboxes in Shiraishi's home, dubbed a "house of horrors" by the media. While the prosecution pushed for the death penalty, Shiraishi’s legal defense argued for a lesser charge based on "murder with consent," claiming that his victims had agreed to be killed. However, Shiraishi later retracted his defense team's claims and stated that he had acted without consent.
His trial attracted significant public attention, with hundreds of people attending his verdict hearing in December 2020, during which he was sentenced to death. Following the shocking nature of the murders and their impact on society, Twitter revised its policies to prohibit the promotion of suicide or self-harm on its platform.
Japan's Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki, who authorized Shiraishi’s execution, underscored the profound societal anxiety triggered by his actions, emphasizing that Shiraishi acted out of self-serving motives related to his sexual desires and financial gain.
