The Masaki Murderer, Masakatsu Nishikawa, was a Japanese man who committed terrible crimes. 

He was born January 14, 1956, in Tottori; Nishikawa’s life took a harrowing turn as he evolved from an ex-criminal with a murder conviction to a remorseless serial killer. 

His reign of terror spanned from 1991 to 1992, causing harm and instilling fear among numerous individuals. 

During this period, the perpetrator engaged in deeply troubling actions, including causing harm to and tragically ending the lives of four women employed at snack bars. 

These unfortunate events had far-reaching consequences, leading to widespread sadness and permanent alterations in the lives of those affected.

Let’s look into Nishikawa’s crimes, his early years, his murders, the investigation that led to his capture, and the legal battles that followed.

Masaki Murderer Early Life and the Seeds of Darkness

Masakatsu Nishikawa’s early life was marked by adversity and hardship. 

He was born as the youngest of five children in Tottori; he found solace predominantly in the company of his mother due to his father’s neglect. 

His sisters ventured to the San’in region to earn money for their struggling family. 

Leaving Nishikawa to navigate a challenging childhood marked by frequent bullying and familial strife. 

The death of his diabetic mother in his third-grade year further exacerbated his tumultuous home life. 

Sent to a childcare facility for stealing, he started on a path of delinquency, forming connections with local troublemakers and indulging in criminal activities.

The First Murder

The turning point in Nishikawa’s descent into darkness occurred on July 6, 1974, when he committed his first murder. 

At 18, he entered a store in Tottori, forcibly overpowering the female store owner. 

Driven by a toxic combination of anger and insecurity, he brutally ended her life, slashing her carotid arteries with a kitchen knife. 

This heinous act marked the beginning of the  Masaki murderer’s criminal journey, leading to his arrest, conviction, and an irregular sentence of imprisonment.

Release and rampage

After spending time in prison, Nishikawa’s release began a frightening period. 

In 1991, he started a series of violent actions, specifically targeting women who worked at snack bars in three different areas.

His way of doing these things was to go into these places as if he was a regular customer. 

But once he was alone with the women who worked there, he would lock the doors so they couldn’t escape. 

The Masaki murderer methods were alarming and planned carefully. He would first strangle the victims and then stab them. 

He made sure the places where he did these things looked a certain way, like turning off bright lights and locking the doors from outside, to make it seem like the businesses closed early.

The victims of Masaki Murderer 

Kumiko Masaki, Fumiko Takahashi, Kyo Harada, and Noriko Murakami are forever linked to the tragic events caused by Nishikawa’s heartless deeds.

Kumiko Masaki was the owner of a place called a snack bar, and Nishikawa was very brutal to her. 

He made it so she couldn’t breathe and took her things. 

Fumiko Takahashi had a similar terrible fate. He strangled her and took the money that she had saved up. Kyo Harada had a somber ending too.

 He hurt her neck badly and took her money. 

Nishikawa’s actions also hurt Noriko Murakami. He stabbed her in a very violent way during his terrible actions.

The Battle for Justice

As Nishikawa’s reign of terror escalated, law enforcement agencies across different prefectures joined forces to capture the ruthless serial killer.

Clues began to emerge, linking the crimes to one person: Masakatsu Nishikawa. 

Fingerprints, footprints, and witness accounts painted a damning picture. Despite his attempts to escape, his actions led him into the hands of justice. 

A series of trials followed, during which his defence counsel fought to prove his innocence.

He was claiming coerced confessions and mental fatigue. However, evidence mounted, and the courts eventually found him guilty of his crimes.

The end of a Dark Saga

After years of legal battles and appeals, Masakatsu Nishikawa’s life ended on July 18, 2017. 

Executed at the Osaka Detention House, his death marked the closure of a dark chapter in Japan’s history. 

His name lives on as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice, the resilience of survivors, and the unbreakable spirit of those who stand against the darkness.

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