Japan executes Twitter killer who killed and dismembered nine

The Twitter Killer: Takahiro Shiraishi – A Chilling Case That Shook Japan

Between 2017 and 2025, Takahiro Shiraishi earned infamy as “The Twitter Killer” after murdering nine people he lured via social media. His case exposed chilling truths about mental health, online platforms, and Japan’s criminal justice system.

The Twitter Killer: Takahiro Shiraishi – A Chilling Case That Shook Japan

Background

Takahiro Shiraishi was born on October 9, 1990, in the quiet city of Zama, Japan. As a child and teenager, he seemed ordinary reserved, obedient, and academically decent. Those around him never suspected he would one day become one of Japan’s most notorious serial killers.

However, after graduating from high school, his life took a disturbing turn. He immersed himself in Tokyo’s underworld, working as a scout in Kabukicho, the city’s red-light district. There, he persuaded women into sex work. This lifestyle fed into his developing psychological issues, compounded by a long-standing fascination with death and control. He even confessed to his father that he felt no purpose in life.

In addition, during his school years, he was reportedly involved in choking games, an ominous foreshadowing of his future crimes. The deepening isolation and his descent into depravity went largely unnoticed until it was too late.

The Crimes

From August to October 2017, Shiraishi, 27 years old at the time, committed nine gruesome murders. He targeted individuals primarily young women aged between 15 and 26 who had posted suicidal thoughts on Twitter.

Using the handle @hangingpro, his Twitter account featured a manga avatar with a noose and messages like:

“I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM me anytime.”

He presented himself as a compassionate figure, someone willing to support others in death. In reality, however, it was all part of a calculated and manipulative plan.

Over the course of three months, Shiraishi lured eight women and one man to his small apartment in Zama. Posing as a willing participant in mutual suicides, he instead raped, strangled, and dismembered them. The victims included:

• Three teenage girls
• Five women
• One man (the boyfriend of a female victim, killed to conceal the earlier crime)

To conceal the bodies, Shiraishi stored the dismembered remains in cooler boxes and toolboxes, masking the smell with cat litter. Meanwhile, neighbors began to report foul odors, yet no one suspected the true horror within.

Discovery and Arrest

The breakthrough came from the persistence of Aiko Tamura’s older brother. Aiko, 23, had gone missing, and her brother accessed her Twitter account. Soon after, he discovered suspicious messages from @hangingpro and immediately contacted authorities.

As a result, on October 31, 2017, police raided Shiraishi’s apartment. What they found was so grotesque that Japanese media dubbed it a “house of horrors.”

Nine dismembered bodies, including severed heads, limbs, and bones, were discovered in cold-storage boxes. Shiraishi offered little resistance and confessed to the murders in chilling detail. Furthermore, he admitted he acted out of sexual and financial motives, not altruism.

Trial and Sentencing

Shiraishi’s trial began in 2020 at the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court. His defense attempted to argue that some victims had consented to die, calling it “murder with consent.” However, Shiraishi himself undermined this claim.

He confessed that none of the murders were consensual and admitted that at least one victim was killed while asleep. Therefore, the court swiftly dismissed the defense’s argument.

In December 2020, the court sentenced him to death for the murder, sexual assault, and robbery of nine individuals. The judge remarked that the crimes were:

“Extremely heinous… causing tremendous anxiety in society due to the misuse of social media.”

Notably, Shiraishi chose not to appeal.

Execution

On June 27, 2025, Takahiro Shiraishi, aged 34, was executed by hanging at the Tokyo Detention House. It was Japan’s first execution since 2022, carried out under the country’s customary secrecy where inmates are only informed hours before.

According to Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki, the killings were:

“Driven by selfish motives and had a profound impact on society.”

In contrast to typical cases, the public had shown intense interest and support for the sentence. The execution brought a sense of closure to the nation, although the horror remains deeply etched in memory.

Societal Impact

This case sent shockwaves through Japan and beyond. It opened a national dialogue on several pressing issues:

1. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Japan already had one of the highest suicide rates among developed countries. Shiraishi exploited those at their lowest point raising questions about mental health infrastructure, crisis hotlines, and societal pressures that push people to such despair.

As a result, several non-profits and government agencies increased suicide prevention funding and awareness.

2. Social Media Regulation

Twitter (now X) became a crucial part of the investigation. Following the case, the platform changed its policies to prohibit promotion or encouragement of suicide. Other platforms followed suit.

Consequently, social media companies now face greater scrutiny when it comes to moderating harmful content.

3. Capital Punishment Debate

Despite international criticism, Japan continues to uphold the death penalty. A 2024 public survey revealed 83% of citizens viewed capital punishment as “unavoidable.” Shiraishi’s case reinforced this sentiment among many, though some human rights groups renewed calls for its abolition.

4. Public Fear and Distrust

The idea that someone could use social media to lure people into death brought widespread fear. In response, parents became more vigilant, schools launched awareness campaigns, and NGOs pushed for online safety education.

Psychological Profile

Experts analyzed Shiraishi’s behaviors and background to understand his transformation into a serial killer. Psychiatrists noted his lack of empathy, sexual sadism, and manipulative personality. Despite his claims of being a “helper,” he showed zero remorse during interrogations.

Moreover, his ability to mask his true intentions, maintain a deceptive persona, and prey on vulnerable people is now studied in criminal psychology and cybercrime courses globally.

Lessons Learned

• Mental health support must be proactive, not reactive.
• Parents and educators should monitor youth online behavior compassionately.
• Social media companies must work in real time to address dangerous content.
• Law enforcement must have tools and training to track online predators.

Shiraishi’s case is a tragic reminder that technology, while a force for good, can also become a predator’s playground if safeguards are absent.

Reflecting on the Victims

The story of Takahiro Shiraishi is not just about the criminal it is, above all, about the nine victims, their families, and the potential that was lost. Each life represented dreams, relationships, and possibilities that were extinguished by a manipulative killer who preyed on pain.

To honor their memory, various memorials, documentaries, and support programs have been established. Through these efforts, their lives continue to inspire change.

🔔For more tutorials like this, consider subscribing to our blog.

📩 Do you have questions or suggestions? Leave a comment or contact us!
🏷️ Tags: Takahiro Shiraishi, Twitter Killer, Japan crime, serial killers, true crime, capital punishment, Japan death penalty, social media dangers, mental health Japan, suicide prevention
📢 Hashtags: #TakahiroShiraishi, #TwitterKiller, #JapanCrime, #TrueCrimeStories, #MentalHealthAwareness, #DeathPenaltyJapan, #SerialKillers, #SuicidePrevention, #SocialMediaSafety, #CrimeAndJustice

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, this haunting case will forever remain a dark chapter in Japan’s modern history. The Twitter Killer exposed cracks in society’s foundations from healthcare to online platforms. Yet, it also sparked reform, awareness, and a global reminder that vulnerability must never be exploited.

Let us remember the victims not for how they died, but for the lives they should have lived.