Japan executes ‘Twitter killer’ Takahiro Shiraishi, who dismembered nine victims he found on social media

A 34-year-old man has suffered agonising final moments in the first execution in years. This is what he did.

Japan has executed Takahiro Shiraishi, the man infamously known as the “Twitter killer,” who was convicted of murdering and dismembering nine people after contacting them through social media.

The 34-year-old was hanged on Friday at the Tokyo Detention House.

It marked the country’s first execution since July 2022.

He had been sentenced to death in 2020 after pleading guilty to killing eight women and one man between August and October 2017.

Shiraishi was arrested after police searched his apartment in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, following the disappearance of a 23-year-old woman who had expressed suicidal thoughts on social media.

Inside his residence, authorities discovered three cooler boxes and five containers filled with human remains. Among the macabre findings were heads and bones stripped of flesh.

Takahiro Shiraishi covering his face with his hands as he is transported to the prosecutor's office from a police station in Tokyo. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP)

He was infamously known as the ‘Twitter killer’, who was convicted of murdering and dismembering nine people after contacting them through social media. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / STR / Japan OUT

The case sent shockwaves across Japan and brought national attention to the dangers of social media platforms being used to exploit vulnerable individuals. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT

The case sent shockwaves across Japan and brought national attention to the dangers of social media platforms being used to exploit vulnerable individuals.

Shiraishi had reached out to victims aged between 15 and 26 who had posted online about suicidal thoughts. Using an alias that roughly translated to “hangman,” he lured them to his apartment under the pretence of helping them die, according to the Jiji news agency.

In court, Shiraishi admitted to murdering the victims to fulfil his own sexual desires, as reported by NHK and TV Asahi.

He was found guilty of murder, rape, and dismemberment, and stored the remains in his home.

His lawyer initially appealed the death sentence, but the appeal was later withdrawn.

Victim, 23-year-old Aiko Tamura, from Hachioji Tokyo city Japan.

In court, Shiraishi admitted to murdering the victims to fulfil his own sexual desires. / AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / STR / Japan OUT

“This case, driven by selfish motives such as sexual and financial gratification, resulted in the deaths of nine individuals over two months – a deeply serious incident that has caused shock and anxiety across society. I understand it is an especially heartbreaking case for both the victims and their families,” Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said during a press conference on Friday.

Suzuki confirmed that he had signed the execution order after “careful and deliberate consideration of all factors.”

In Japan, executions by hanging are carried out in secrecy, with dates not disclosed in advance.

Families and legal representatives are typically notified only after the execution has occurred.

Originally published as Japan executes ‘Twitter killer’ Takahiro Shiraishi, who dismembered nine victims he found on social media