Chisako Kakehi

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. She was also suspected in at least seven other deaths.

Arrest Kakehi was arrested in 2014 following an autopsy on her fourth husband, Isao Kakehi, which revealed traces of cyanide poisoning.

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"; two days later, she retracted this confession, claiming to not remember having said it. Her lawyers subsequently argued that she suffered from dementia and could not be convicted due to diminished responsibility. 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.