Born and raised in Japan, Sagawa's formative years were shaped by the country's unique cultural landscape, which would later influence his academic pursuits. He went on to earn a degree in English literature from Wako University, a prestigious institution that fostered his intellectual growth and laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
As a brilliant student, Sagawa's academic achievements earned him a spot in a post-graduate program at the renowned Sorbonne, a prestigious institution in France. However, his academic pursuits took a dark and unexpected turn in 1981, when he committed a heinous crime that would forever change the course of his life.
Sagawa brutally murdered and consumed his fellow classmate, a beautiful woman named Renée Hartevelt, in a senseless act of violence that shocked the world. The discovery of his crime led to a judicial evaluation, which ultimately declared Sagawa mentally deranged and unfit to stand trial.
In a bizarre twist, Sagawa's wealthy father used his influence to have his son extradited to a Japanese psychiatric hospital, where he was treated for his alleged mental illness. After serving a 15-month sentence, Sagawa was released and became an unlikely celebrity in Japan, thanks to his notoriety and willingness to discuss his crime in public.
Today, Sagawa spends his time doing talk show interviews, starring in movies, writing novels, and painting, often using his art to express his thoughts and feelings about his past actions. Despite his crimes, Sagawa remains unrepentant and has even profited from his notoriety, becoming a cultural icon in Japan.
