Japan recently executed Takahiro Shiraishi, notorious for the gruesome killings of nine people in 2017, marking the first capital punishment in the country since 2022.
Japan Carries Out Execution of Infamous Serial Killer Linked to Social Media
Japan Carries Out Execution of Infamous Serial Killer Linked to Social Media
Takahiro Shiraishi executed for the 2017 murders of nine individuals, prompting discussions on online suicide awareness.
Takahiro Shiraishi, widely known as the "Twitter killer," was executed after being convicted for the horrifying murders that shocked Japan. His crimes came to light in October 2017 when police discovered dismembered body parts in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture while searching for a missing person. Shiraishi, then 30, had utilized social media to lure his predominantly young female victims, aged between 15 and 26, to his apartment under the pretext of assisting them in their expressed desires to die.
Shiraishi’s social media communications, primarily on Twitter—now rebranded as X—revealed a chilling motive; he had advertised himself as someone willing to help those in pain, beckoning users to reach out via direct messages. His profile infamously contained an appeal: "I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM me anytime." This manipulation led to a series of fatal encounters wherein he strangled and dismembered his victims, whom he reportedly met through discussions surrounding suicide.
When police uncovered the gruesome scene in Shiraishi's apartment, media outlets quickly dubbed it a "house of horrors" due to the nine dismembered bodies stored in coolers and toolboxes. Shiraishi's defense team sought to mitigate his culpability by arguing the controversial "murder with consent" defense, claiming that his victims had willingly given their permission to be killed. However, Shiraishi later retracted this account, admitting to the killings without consent.
His trial garnered significant public attention, with hundreds attending the verdict hearing in December 2020, ultimately culminating in a death sentence. The case not only raised critical discussions on the intersection of mental health, suicide, and social media but also prompted Twitter to alter its policies to prevent the promotion or encouragement of self-harm among its users.
If you or someone you know is struggling, numerous resources are available for guidance and support, including hotlines in Japan and the UK.
Shiraishi’s social media communications, primarily on Twitter—now rebranded as X—revealed a chilling motive; he had advertised himself as someone willing to help those in pain, beckoning users to reach out via direct messages. His profile infamously contained an appeal: "I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM me anytime." This manipulation led to a series of fatal encounters wherein he strangled and dismembered his victims, whom he reportedly met through discussions surrounding suicide.
When police uncovered the gruesome scene in Shiraishi's apartment, media outlets quickly dubbed it a "house of horrors" due to the nine dismembered bodies stored in coolers and toolboxes. Shiraishi's defense team sought to mitigate his culpability by arguing the controversial "murder with consent" defense, claiming that his victims had willingly given their permission to be killed. However, Shiraishi later retracted this account, admitting to the killings without consent.
His trial garnered significant public attention, with hundreds attending the verdict hearing in December 2020, ultimately culminating in a death sentence. The case not only raised critical discussions on the intersection of mental health, suicide, and social media but also prompted Twitter to alter its policies to prevent the promotion or encouragement of self-harm among its users.
If you or someone you know is struggling, numerous resources are available for guidance and support, including hotlines in Japan and the UK.
