ZAMA, Japan — Authorities in Japan executed Takahiro Shiraishi on Thursday, marking the nation’s first use of capital punishment since 2022. Shiraishi was convicted of a gruesome series of murders that shocked the country and raised concerns about the role of social media in suicide discussions.

Shiraishi, infamously known as the “Twitter Killer,” lured nine individuals to his home under the pretense of assisting them with suicidal thoughts. Most of his victims were young women aged between 15 and 26. Authorities unearthed chilling evidence of his crimes in October 2017 when investigators discovered dismembered body parts while searching for one of the missing women.

Investigators linked Shiraishi to the disappearances after he had formed connections with his victims through social media, specifically on Twitter, now rebranded as X. He allegedly assured them he could help with their suicide plans, claiming he would die alongside them in some instances. On his social media profile, he offered a disturbing invitation: “I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM me anytime.”

Once inside his apartment, law enforcement found the dismembered bodies stored in coolers and toolboxes, leading to media descriptions of the location as a “house of horrors.” The heinous nature of the crimes ignited intense public outrage and a dialogue about mental health and suicidal ideation in Japan.

During the legal proceedings, prosecutors argued for the death penalty, while Shiraishi’s defense team sought to mitigate the charges, suggesting the concept of “murder with consent.” They maintained that his victims had voluntarily accepted their fate, but Shiraishi later contradicted this line of defense, stating he had killed without any consent.

Hundreds attended the verdict hearing in December 2020 as Shiraishi received the death sentence. His case not only impacted legal discussions but also prompted Twitter to revise its policies. The platform stated that it would no longer allow content that promotes or encourages suicide or self-harm.

Japan’s execution of Shiraishi has reignited debates surrounding capital punishment and mental health support within the country. While some advocate for the death penalty as a necessary deterrent to heinous acts, others argue for a more comprehensive approach to mental health treatment and intervention for those expressing suicidal thoughts.