Chisako Kakehi's fall shocked Japan when it became known. In the trial, it emerged that she met older men on dating sites, tricked them into drinking cyanid, and stole their money. The victims were wealthy and childless – and preferably old and sick.
Kakehi was initially sentenced to death in Osaka in 2017, a verdict that was later upheld by a higher court. The charges concerned three cases of murder, including one against a former husband, as well as an attempted murder. The victims may, however, have been more. Three of the "black widow's" former husbands died, but no evidence against her was found in these cases.
Kakehi confessed to one of the murders and said she was ready to take her punishment.
Her death has been confirmed by a hospital in Osaka, where she was taken after being found lifeless on the floor of her prison cell. The cause of death has not been established.
