‘Twitter Killer’ Takahiro Shiraishi Who Targeted Suicidal People on Social Media and Offered to Assist in Their Deaths Executed in Japan

The case of Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the “Twitter Killer,” sent shockwaves through Japan and the international community. His crimes were not only heinous in their brutality but also deeply unsettling due to the manner in which he manipulated social media to prey upon the vulnerable.

Shiraishi’s eventual execution marks a grim conclusion to one of the most disturbing serial murder cases in recent Japanese history. His case has since become a symbol of the dangers that lurk in the digital world, especially for those who are already struggling with their mental health.

Takahiro Shiraishi’s modus operandi was chilling in its simplicity and cruelty. He used social media platforms, particularly Twitter, to seek out individuals expressing suicidal thoughts. Offering a sense of connection and support, he lured them into trusting him with promises of a peaceful death or companionship in suicide.

However, his real intention was to exploit their vulnerability for his own gratification and ultimately kill them. His actions not only led to the tragic loss of nine young lives but also forced Japan to reexamine its approach to mental health, online safety, and the death penalty.

Manipulation, Murder, and the Digital Trap

Takahiro Shiraishi’s criminal activities came to light in October 2017, when police began investigating the disappearance of a 23-year-old woman. The young woman had posted suicidal messages on social media, and her worried brother managed to access her X (formerly Twitter) account to search for clues.

His efforts led police to Shiraishi’s apartment in Zama city, located in Kanagawa Prefecture near Tokyo. What investigators discovered inside shocked the nation: the dismembered remains of nine individuals—eight women and one man—stored in coolers and toolboxes, masked with cat litter to hide the smell.

Dubbed the “Twitter Killer” by the media, Takahiro Shiraishi had meticulously planned his killings. He searched online for individuals who expressed suicidal ideation and used the Twitter handle “hangman” to approach them. Posing as someone who would either die alongside them or assist them in their death, he created a web of lies to draw them in. Once inside his apartment, however, his victims met a different fate.

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Instead of the shared demise he had promised, Shiraishi strangled them and dismembered their bodies. Shiraishi’s victims ranged in age from just 15 to 26, each of them vulnerable and desperate.

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His approach targeted not only their emotional instability but also their desire for connection—a reminder of how isolation can make individuals susceptible to manipulation. The case horrified Japanese society and raised significant concerns about the accessibility and regulation of social media, especially concerning mental health and suicide prevention.

Trial, Conviction, and the Path to Execution

In December 2020, Takahiro Shiraishi was convicted of murdering, raping, and dismembering nine people. His trial garnered extensive media coverage, with much public outrage and heartbreak for the victims and their families. Prosecutors sought the death penalty, arguing that Shiraishi’s actions were premeditated, selfish, and inflicted immense suffering.

During the trial, his defense lawyers attempted to argue for a lesser sentence, claiming that the murders were committed with the victims’ consent—a legal concept known in Japan as “murder with consent.” They also called for an examination of Shiraishi’s mental state to determine whether he was fit to stand trial.

However, the court ultimately rejected these arguments. The judge stated that the victims had not genuinely agreed to be killed and that Shiraishi’s manipulation negated any notion of consent. The brutality and cruelty of the murders, coupled with the deliberate planning involved, led to a death sentence. The judge emphasized that Shiraishi’s crimes were “extremely selfish” and caused great societal harm, particularly by exploiting people who were emotionally vulnerable and in need of help.

After his sentencing, Takahiro Shiraishi remained in custody at the Tokyo Detention House, where Japan carries out executions. On June 28, 2024, Japan carried out the execution by hanging, marking the country’s first use of the death penalty in nearly three years. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki signed off on the execution, stating that the decision came after careful consideration of the severity of Shiraishi’s crimes.

In Japan, executions are carried out with a high degree of secrecy. The date of the hanging is not disclosed until after it has occurred. Prisoners are typically given only a few hours’ notice, and their families are informed only after the execution is complete. This practice has long been criticized by human rights organizations, but it remains standard procedure in Japan’s criminal justice system.

A Nation Reflects on the Darkness Within

The case of Takahiro Shiraishi raised profound questions for Japanese society. While the gruesome nature of the murders captured public attention, the deeper issue it highlighted was the vulnerability of people suffering from mental health issues and the role of the internet in enabling predators. The fact that Takahiro Shiraishi was able to find and manipulate nine individuals into trusting him speaks volumes about the loneliness and desperation that often go unnoticed in modern life.

In the aftermath of the murders, there were calls for stronger suicide prevention strategies, greater mental health support, and tighter control over harmful content on social media. Japan has one of the highest suicide rates among developed countries, and though recent years have seen improvements, the problem remains deeply rooted. Social media, while offering platforms for connection, also presents dangers when used by individuals with malicious intent.

This tragedy has forced social media companies and government officials to think critically about their responsibilities. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have since taken steps to improve monitoring of suicidal content and connect users with resources. Yet, the scale and anonymity of the internet continue to make it a challenging space to regulate.

The execution of Takahiro Shiraishi brings closure to the families of the victims, but it also leaves behind a lingering sense of unease. It is a reminder that behind the screen, real people suffer, and that predators can weaponize technology in the most horrific ways. Shiraishi’s case may be closed, but the societal wounds it opened continue to demand attention and action.

The Japanese justice system’s handling of this case also reignited debates over the use of the death penalty. While the majority of the Japanese public supports capital punishment for severe crimes, international human rights groups criticize its use and the secretive nature of executions. The lack of transparency and the mental toll on death row inmates who wait years in uncertainty have been ongoing points of contention.

Shiraishi’s crimes, trial, and execution represent not only the darkest aspects of one man’s actions but also the broader vulnerabilities within society. It is a call for better safeguards for mental health, more compassion in addressing suicidal behavior, and a vigilant approach to the risks posed by digital anonymity. For Japan and the world, the story of the “Twitter Killer” is a grim testament to the dangers of unchecked isolation and the exploitation of human despair.

The execution of Takahiro Shiraishi might close the chapter on one of Japan’s most gruesome murder cases, but the echoes of his crimes serve as a chilling reminder of the work still to be done in protecting the vulnerable—online and off.