was a Japanese serial killer who was sentenced to death for the murders of three men, including her husband, and for the attempted murder of a fourth.Japan's 'Black Widow' sentenced to death for murdering a string of lovers, by Agence France-Presse, via the Guardian; published November 7, 2017; retrieved November 11, 2017 She was also suspected in at least seven other deaths.Japan's 'Black Widow' Gets Death by Hanging for Murdering Her Lovers, by Drew Schwartz, at Vice; published November 7, 2017; retrieved November 11, 2017
Arrest Kakehi was arrested in 2014 following an autopsy on her fourth husband, Isao Kakehi,Killer Wives: 8 Most Infamous Black Widow Murderers: Chisako Kakehi, by Melissa Locker, in Rolling Stone; published August 25, 2016; retrieved November 11, 2017 which revealed traces of cyanide poisoning.Japan woman arrested for 'poisoning husband with cyanide' at BBC.com; published November 20, 2014; retrieved November 11, 2017
Trial She initially pleaded not guilty, but during her 2017 trial, she confessed, stating that she had no intention of hiding her guilt and wanted to kill her husband out of "deep hatred";Japan’s ‘Black Widow’ given death penalty for murders, by Megan Palin, at news.com.au; published November 7, 2017; retrieved November 11, 2017 two days later, she retracted this confession, claiming to not remember having said it.Japan 'Black Widow' confesses to killing husband No 4, then backtracks , at ChannelNewsAsia; published July 12, 2017; retrieved November 11, 2017 Her lawyers subsequently argued that she suffered from dementiaJapan’s ‘black widow’ serial killer gets death sentence, at the Japan Times; published November 7, 2017; retrieved November 11, 2017 and could not be convicted due to diminished responsibility.
In June 2021, the Supreme Court of Japan rejected her final appeal.Black Widow: Japanese serial killer loses death sentence appeal, at BBC.com; published June 29, 2021; retrieved July 1, 2021 One of the judges explained the decision based on Chisako's "ruthless crime(s) based on a planned and strong murderous intention."
Death Kakehi was incarcerated in Osaka. After being found unresponsive by prison staff on the morning of December 26, 2024, she was transported to hospital, where she died later the same day. She was 78.
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