Chisako Kakehi, 78, Death Row Inmate Convicted of Cyanide Murders of Three Partners, Dies in Osaka Detention Center

Dec 26, 2024, 07:58 AM

Chisako Kakehi, a 78-year-old death row inmate convicted of murdering her husband and three common-law partners using cyanide to inherit their assets, has died in custody. Kakehi was found unresponsive in her cell at Osaka Detention Center. Despite having some signs of life, she did not respond to staff calls and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Authorities are investigating the cause of death, which is suspected to be related to pre-existing health conditions, including asthma. Kakehi was sentenced to death for the murders, which occurred in the Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo, and she had maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.