In 2017, Japan uncovered one of the most gruesome serial killing cases in its modern history, and the horror came from a small apartment in Tokyo, not some dark alley or abandoned warehouse. The man behind it? Takahiro Shiraishi. His nickname? The Twitter Killer.
In a country known for low crime rates and quiet streets, this case gripped the entire nation. And now, in 2025, it has come to a chilling close: Takahiro Shiraishi has officially been executed by hanging, the first execution Japan has carried out since 2022. Let’s walk through the full nightmare, from his first contact with victims to the state-sanctioned end of his life.
The Predator Behind the Screen
Shiraishi wasn’t some deranged drifter or shadowy figure. He was a 20-something man with internet access and a very clear motive. Using several Twitter accounts, he scouted for young women who were depressed, lonely, or posting about suicide. He pretended to be a friend, someone who could understand their pain. In some cases, he even promised to help them die peacefully.
But what he wanted was control, power, and a perverse thrill. After gaining their trust, he invited them to his apartment. That’s where their stories ended.
The Horror of Unit 205
Takahiro lived in a tiny 150-square-foot apartment in Zama City, just outside Tokyo. Once his victims stepped through the door, he strangled them, often within minutes, and then dismembered their bodies. Some of the remains he stuffed in coolers. Others were sealed in plastic containers, surrounded by kitty litter to reduce the stench.
When police finally entered the apartment, they discovered the full extent of the horror. Nine people, eight women and one man, had been murdered. Their severed heads were lined up, and over 240 bones were found across the room. He admitted to it all with a blank stare and a twisted sense of pride.
Caught Because of One Brave Woman
The killings could have continued. But one woman, known in the media as Yumi, suspected something was off. She had been speaking with Shiraishi online, but grew wary. She contacted police and worked with them to arrange a trap.
Officers followed her as she met Shiraishi in person. That led them straight to his apartment. And when they walked inside, they found what can only be described as a modern-day house of horrors. Shiraishi didn’t resist. He offered tea, confessed almost casually, and showed no signs of remorse.
Read more: Amarjeet Sada: The 8-Year-Old Serial Killer
The Trial Everyone Watched
In 2020, Shiraishi stood trial. While the public and the victims’ families demanded justice, his defense team argued that his crimes weren’t technically murder; they claimed his victims had suicidal intent and that he was only “assisting” them. The courtroom wasn’t convinced.
He was sentenced to death. Not because he ended lives, but because of how coldly and deliberately he did it. While details of the murders unfolded in court, he often smiled. He fidgeted. He doodled in his notebook. Not once did he apologize.
The Execution That Silenced Him Forever
In July 2025, the Japanese Ministry of Justice confirmed that Takahiro Shiraishi had been executed by hanging at the Tokyo Detention Center. As per Japanese custom, the execution was kept completely secret until after it was completed.
This was Japan’s first execution in over three years. Some human rights advocates voiced concern over capital punishment, but for the victims’ families, it was closure. The state described the crimes as driven by extreme selfishness, carried out for personal sexual and financial satisfaction, with no remorse or humanity.
A Country Still in Shock
The case left Japan reeling. Social media platforms were criticized for failing to detect the predator using their space. Mental health advocates called out how little support is available for young people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. And the public, once again, had to confront the reality that monsters don’t always lurk in the shadows; sometimes, they hide behind profile pictures and polite messages.
The fact that the victims were not just murdered, but deceived and discarded like trash, has become one of the darkest stains on Japan’s modern crime history. Even years later, people still talk about Unit 205 like it was cursed.
Final Thoughts
Takahiro Shiraishi is gone now. Executed. Erased from the system. But what he did and how he did it won’t be forgotten anytime soon. His story is a brutal reminder that the internet isn’t always a safe space. Vulnerable people are still looking for help online, and predators are still watching. In the end, this case isn’t just about a killer. It’s about the people who reached out in pain and found a monster instead.