August 16, 2024 • 12 mins
Welcome back to Rogue Darkness! In this episode we’ll be delving into the horrifying case of Sachiko Eto, notoriously dubbed as “The Drumstick Killer”, who was the head of a cult in Japan and ruthlessly killed some of its members with the use of taiko drumsticks.
Sources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...
https://journal.com.ph/a-myste...
http://unknownmisandry.blogspo...
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/sach...
Videos Used:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
3. https://columbinemassacre.foru...
All music used in this episode, as well as all other episodes of Rogue Darkness, are royalty and copyright free and available for public use through the Creative Commons.
Contact: https://gmail.com
Follow me on my socials!
IG: https://instagram.com/rogue_da...
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC...
TikTok: @rogue_darkness
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/rogued...
Rogue Darkness is part of the Darkcast Network. Check out all of the network’s other amazing podcasts at http://www.darkcastnetwork.com
Sources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...
https://journal.com.ph/a-myste...
http://unknownmisandry.blogspo...
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/sach...
Videos Used:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
3. https://columbinemassacre.foru...
All music used in this episode, as well as all other episodes of Rogue Darkness, are royalty and copyright free and available for public use through the Creative Commons.
Contact: https://gmail.com
Follow me on my socials!
IG: https://instagram.com/rogue_da...
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC...
TikTok: @rogue_darkness
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/rogued...
Rogue Darkness is part of the Darkcast Network. Check out all of the network’s other amazing podcasts at http://www.darkcastnetwork.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Dark Cast Network. Welcome to the dark side of podcasts
the world are ritualistic child abuse? They ward? Does that
replay bottom an insidious design? Right now to program and
(00:22):
influence the minds of our children? Forwards, you of cult
and witchcraft. Let's explore the darkness of mankind one crime
at a time. Does it make you want it? Aye murder?
Or does it make you want to be? Welcome back
to Rogue Darkness, the podcast that uncovers how the misinterpretations
(00:45):
and misinformation surrounding witchcraft, the occult, and other beliefs have
led many to do unthinkable crimes. From ritualistic killings and
the demons that live in all of us, to exploration
of the macabre and delving deep into the unknown. Let's
explore the darkness of mankind one crime at a time.
(01:06):
I'm your host of the Grim and Gruesome Raven. Let's
go Rogue and get right into today's chilling crime. The
case of the drumstick Killer Satschiko Eto, who committed six
murders in Sukagawa City between nineteen ninety four and nineteen
ninety five. Sachiko Eto was a notorious criminal known as
the drumstick Killer. She was involved in cruel rituals that
(01:29):
resulted in the deaths of some of her followers, all
of whom were killed with drumsticks taicho sticks. Let's now
go back and start from the very beginning. Sachiko was
born to a low income household in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan,
on August twenty first, nineteen forty seven. Her father was
(01:49):
a construction worker while her mom was a waitress. Sachiko
had to work hard to help support her family as
a child because they were poor and had a hard
time making ends meet. Sachiko was a talented kid who
overcame adversity to enroll at a prominent Tokyo university and
major in literature. She taught for a few years after
(02:11):
finishing college, but eventually left to focus on her spirituality
and religion. She became a member of the religious group
created by Kiyoharu Iszawa and known as the Tachikawa q
Si Shah. Sachiko, with Iszawa's direction, immersed herself in the
religion of the organization. She was one of Iszawa's most
dedicated followers. After coming to the conclusion that he was
(02:34):
a prophet sent by God to lead the human race.
Sachiko Eto's dedication to the group was so intense that
she cut ties with those closest to her because she
saw them as impediments to her development as a spiritual being.
Isawa passed away in the early nineteen nineties, and the
Tachikawa q SI shaw eventually broke up As a result.
(02:55):
Sachiko was heartbroken by the death of her spiritual leader,
and she lacked directtion and purpose in life without the
community she had been a part of. Around this time,
Sachiko started having hallucinations and delusions. She started to see
symbols and signs everywhere, leading her to believe that she
was God's chosen one to destroy evil. She also grew
(03:16):
to believe that the dead were guiding her on her
task through a series of visions and messages. Sachiko ended
up moving into a property she bought in Sukagawa City
in nineteen ninety four and quickly began amassing a devoted following.
She manipulated them into believing she was a divine being
and obeying her every order. Sachiko started a weapons and
(03:39):
AMMO stockpile too, because she knew she would need them
in the upcoming wars against the bad guys. Sachiko and
her followers launched their first attack on December thirtieth, nineteen
ninety four. They went after a local family of four,
bursting into their house and killing all four members with
bats and knives. The incident stunned the neighborhood because of
(04:02):
its brutality and its apparent lack of motive. Five further
attacks were carried out by Sachiko Eto and her followers
during the following months, all against people they saw as
evil or who had insulted Sachiko in some way. After
their deaths, the victims in each case were brutally attacked
with baseball bats and knives. At first, the authorities didn't
(04:24):
know how to respond to the string of murders because
the victims didn't appear to be related. All of the victims, however,
were subsequently linked to Sachiko Etto or her followers. The
murder weapons and stolen property from the victim's homes were
also recovered, further implicating Sachiko Eto and her supporters. The
authorities detained Satchiko and four of her followers on March
(04:48):
thirty first, nineteen ninety five. They faced charges of murder
six times over, in addition to robbery and unlawful gun possession.
Sachiko testified that she had been following God's will when
she committed the murders, and that her victims were all
bad people who deserved to die. The trial of Sachiko
Eto was one of the most publicized criminal proceedings in
(05:12):
Japanese history. All charges against her were sustained. Sachiko Eto's
murderous spree claimed the lives of males in their twenties
and thirties. She'd promise them enlightenment if they joined her
cult and then kill them as a part of the ceremonies.
A man named Yasuo Shimizu was the first victim. Eto
(05:33):
had met him in a pachinko parlor. She duped him
into joining her cult, where he met a violent end
during a ritualized beating. Katsuhisa Izaki was the second person
to be beaten to death by cult members at a ritual.
Sachiko herself drowned Toshio Umura, the third victim, in a
bathroom tub. She said he had to die so that
(05:55):
his soul might be cleansed. Sachiko strangled Sunaharu Miyamai, the
fourth victim during a ritual. Tomohiro Mitani, the fifth victim,
was likewise murdered by Sachiko and drowned in a bathtub.
Six people were killed by the cult, and the last one,
Kazuo Hayashi, was beaten to death during a ritual. After
(06:17):
some time, his body was discovered in a small burial
in the woods close to the city of Sukagawa. Tomoko Misusawa,
a member of Sachiko Eto's cult, turned to the police
in nineteen ninety five and confessed to the murders, bringing
an end to Sachiko's reign of terror. Misusawa stated that
Sachiko had indoctrinated her into taking part in the murders.
(06:41):
After an extensive investigation, Sachiko Eto was apprehended and found
guilty on six charges of murder in addition to other
counts of assault and kidnapping. Due to her ancient age
and bad health, her death sentence was reduced to life
in prison. Sachiko Eatedo had a small but devoted following
(07:02):
of followers who continued to follow her teachings to this day.
Despite her horrible acts, People in Japan and all over
the world are still fascinated and horrified by her story.
The authorities started looking into Sachiko and her cult followers.
They learned that Sachiko had hypnotized her devotees into killing
(07:22):
four spiritual power and that she had encouraged this behavior.
Eto has been institutionalized multiple times due to her own
history of mental illness. Investigation into the incident uncovered additional
evidence that Sachiko had attempted to contaminate the water supply
of a neighboring town. She had also committed fraud and blackmail,
(07:43):
among other crimes. The surviving cult member was given a
three year sentence in March nineteen ninety seven, with a
five year suspended sentence. It is unknown if this judgment
was appealed. Sachikoito's case was highly contentious in Japan, despite
the severity of her offenses. Some others thought her mental
(08:04):
instability and the cult's influence meant she should be excused
from responsibility for her conduct. Some people thought she was
a dangerous criminal and said she should be executed. Sachiko Etto,
Yuko Etto, and Mitsuo Sekine were all recommended for the
death penalty by the Fukushima District Court on November sixteenth,
(08:24):
two thousand one, while Hiroshi Namoto was recommended for twenty
years in jail. On May tenth, two thousand two, the
court upheld all the sentences but lowered Namotos to eighteen years.
The trial was examined in the same way by the
representative directors of the Japan de Kart Association, Shingo Takahashi
and assistant professor of psychiatry die Die Toho. The conspirator's
(08:49):
requests for reduced sentences were denied by the Sendai High
Court on November eleventh, two thousand three. The Sendai High
Court also turned down Sachiko Ato's appeal on November twelfth,
two thousand five. The Supreme Court of Japan formally denied
Ato's appeal on September sixteen, two thousand eight, so upholding
her death sentence. After the war, she became the tenth
(09:12):
female prisoner to be given the death penalty. On September
twenty seventh, twenty twelve, Sachiko Eto was put to death.
The last time Japan carried out an execution was nearly
two years ago. One of the most notorious criminal cases
in Japanese history involved sachiko Eto, often known as the
(09:33):
Drumstick Killer. Sachiko Etto, called the Drumstick Killer, led a
cult and perpetrated six killings in Sukagawa City in the
years nineteen ninety four and nineteen ninety five. She was
a crazy cult leader who thought she had direct divine
communication with God. Because of her mental condition and delusions,
she attacked and killed several individuals. Sachiko Ato may have
(09:56):
been found guilty and executed, but the agony she inflicted
on her victims and their loved ones will never go away.
We must not forget their experiences and instead seek to
ensure that similar tragedies never happen again. And that was
the horrifying case of the terrible events surrounding sachiko Eto
(10:16):
the Drumstick Killer. Serving as a sobering warning to anyone
who finds themselves or a loved one embroiled in a cult.
The story also emphasizes the value of providing mental health
care and assistance to people who need it, as we
never truly know what someone is capable of. If you
(10:40):
enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Rogue Darkness on
your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to
bring you more stories of true crime and the paranormal.
Definitely let me know your thoughts on this case and
if you have any questions regarding it or any other
cases I've previously covered, you can always contact me at
Rogue darknesspod at gmail dot com. You can also always
(11:04):
reach out to me directly on my socials. Instagram, Twitter, TikTok,
and YouTube are all at Rogue Underscore Darkness. As always,
be sure to share the podcast with anyone who you
think would like it, and be sure to leave a
rating and review over on Apple, iTunes, Spotify, good Pods,
or anywhere else you can leave a review to let
other listeners know you enjoy the show, and if you
(11:26):
want some personalized shoutouts and other exclusives, definitely check out
my Patreon by visiting patreon dot com slash Rogue Darkness.
You can also check out my Bondfire shop if you
want to get your hands on some merch to support
the show even further. As always, all the links for
everything discussed in my episodes are down in the description
box of the episode. And with that said, that concludes
(11:48):
this week's episode of Rogue Darkness. The Darkness is all
around us, and I can confidently say that reality truly
is more terrifying then fiction. Until next time,
Dark Cast Network. Welcome to the dark side of podcasts
the world are ritualistic child abuse? They ward? Does that
replay bottom an insidious design? Right now to program and
(00:22):
influence the minds of our children? Forwards, you of cult
and witchcraft. Let's explore the darkness of mankind one crime
at a time. Does it make you want it? Aye murder?
Or does it make you want to be? Welcome back
to Rogue Darkness, the podcast that uncovers how the misinterpretations
(00:45):
and misinformation surrounding witchcraft, the occult, and other beliefs have
led many to do unthinkable crimes. From ritualistic killings and
the demons that live in all of us, to exploration
of the macabre and delving deep into the unknown. Let's
explore the darkness of mankind one crime at a time.
(01:06):
I'm your host of the Grim and Gruesome Raven. Let's
go Rogue and get right into today's chilling crime. The
case of the drumstick Killer Satschiko Eto, who committed six
murders in Sukagawa City between nineteen ninety four and nineteen
ninety five. Sachiko Eto was a notorious criminal known as
the drumstick Killer. She was involved in cruel rituals that
(01:29):
resulted in the deaths of some of her followers, all
of whom were killed with drumsticks taicho sticks. Let's now
go back and start from the very beginning. Sachiko was
born to a low income household in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan,
on August twenty first, nineteen forty seven. Her father was
(01:49):
a construction worker while her mom was a waitress. Sachiko
had to work hard to help support her family as
a child because they were poor and had a hard
time making ends meet. Sachiko was a talented kid who
overcame adversity to enroll at a prominent Tokyo university and
major in literature. She taught for a few years after
(02:11):
finishing college, but eventually left to focus on her spirituality
and religion. She became a member of the religious group
created by Kiyoharu Iszawa and known as the Tachikawa q
Si Shah. Sachiko, with Iszawa's direction, immersed herself in the
religion of the organization. She was one of Iszawa's most
dedicated followers. After coming to the conclusion that he was
(02:34):
a prophet sent by God to lead the human race.
Sachiko Eto's dedication to the group was so intense that
she cut ties with those closest to her because she
saw them as impediments to her development as a spiritual being.
Isawa passed away in the early nineteen nineties, and the
Tachikawa q SI shaw eventually broke up As a result.
(02:55):
Sachiko was heartbroken by the death of her spiritual leader,
and she lacked directtion and purpose in life without the
community she had been a part of. Around this time,
Sachiko started having hallucinations and delusions. She started to see
symbols and signs everywhere, leading her to believe that she
was God's chosen one to destroy evil. She also grew
(03:16):
to believe that the dead were guiding her on her
task through a series of visions and messages. Sachiko ended
up moving into a property she bought in Sukagawa City
in nineteen ninety four and quickly began amassing a devoted following.
She manipulated them into believing she was a divine being
and obeying her every order. Sachiko started a weapons and
(03:39):
AMMO stockpile too, because she knew she would need them
in the upcoming wars against the bad guys. Sachiko and
her followers launched their first attack on December thirtieth, nineteen
ninety four. They went after a local family of four,
bursting into their house and killing all four members with
bats and knives. The incident stunned the neighborhood because of
(04:02):
its brutality and its apparent lack of motive. Five further
attacks were carried out by Sachiko Eto and her followers
during the following months, all against people they saw as
evil or who had insulted Sachiko in some way. After
their deaths, the victims in each case were brutally attacked
with baseball bats and knives. At first, the authorities didn't
(04:24):
know how to respond to the string of murders because
the victims didn't appear to be related. All of the victims, however,
were subsequently linked to Sachiko Etto or her followers. The
murder weapons and stolen property from the victim's homes were
also recovered, further implicating Sachiko Eto and her supporters. The
authorities detained Satchiko and four of her followers on March
(04:48):
thirty first, nineteen ninety five. They faced charges of murder
six times over, in addition to robbery and unlawful gun possession.
Sachiko testified that she had been following God's will when
she committed the murders, and that her victims were all
bad people who deserved to die. The trial of Sachiko
Eto was one of the most publicized criminal proceedings in
(05:12):
Japanese history. All charges against her were sustained. Sachiko Eto's
murderous spree claimed the lives of males in their twenties
and thirties. She'd promise them enlightenment if they joined her
cult and then kill them as a part of the ceremonies.
A man named Yasuo Shimizu was the first victim. Eto
(05:33):
had met him in a pachinko parlor. She duped him
into joining her cult, where he met a violent end
during a ritualized beating. Katsuhisa Izaki was the second person
to be beaten to death by cult members at a ritual.
Sachiko herself drowned Toshio Umura, the third victim, in a
bathroom tub. She said he had to die so that
(05:55):
his soul might be cleansed. Sachiko strangled Sunaharu Miyamai, the
fourth victim during a ritual. Tomohiro Mitani, the fifth victim,
was likewise murdered by Sachiko and drowned in a bathtub.
Six people were killed by the cult, and the last one,
Kazuo Hayashi, was beaten to death during a ritual. After
(06:17):
some time, his body was discovered in a small burial
in the woods close to the city of Sukagawa. Tomoko Misusawa,
a member of Sachiko Eto's cult, turned to the police
in nineteen ninety five and confessed to the murders, bringing
an end to Sachiko's reign of terror. Misusawa stated that
Sachiko had indoctrinated her into taking part in the murders.
(06:41):
After an extensive investigation, Sachiko Eto was apprehended and found
guilty on six charges of murder in addition to other
counts of assault and kidnapping. Due to her ancient age
and bad health, her death sentence was reduced to life
in prison. Sachiko Eatedo had a small but devoted following
(07:02):
of followers who continued to follow her teachings to this day.
Despite her horrible acts, People in Japan and all over
the world are still fascinated and horrified by her story.
The authorities started looking into Sachiko and her cult followers.
They learned that Sachiko had hypnotized her devotees into killing
(07:22):
four spiritual power and that she had encouraged this behavior.
Eto has been institutionalized multiple times due to her own
history of mental illness. Investigation into the incident uncovered additional
evidence that Sachiko had attempted to contaminate the water supply
of a neighboring town. She had also committed fraud and blackmail,
(07:43):
among other crimes. The surviving cult member was given a
three year sentence in March nineteen ninety seven, with a
five year suspended sentence. It is unknown if this judgment
was appealed. Sachikoito's case was highly contentious in Japan, despite
the severity of her offenses. Some others thought her mental
(08:04):
instability and the cult's influence meant she should be excused
from responsibility for her conduct. Some people thought she was
a dangerous criminal and said she should be executed. Sachiko Etto,
Yuko Etto, and Mitsuo Sekine were all recommended for the
death penalty by the Fukushima District Court on November sixteenth,
(08:24):
two thousand one, while Hiroshi Namoto was recommended for twenty
years in jail. On May tenth, two thousand two, the
court upheld all the sentences but lowered Namotos to eighteen years.
The trial was examined in the same way by the
representative directors of the Japan de Kart Association, Shingo Takahashi
and assistant professor of psychiatry die Die Toho. The conspirator's
(08:49):
requests for reduced sentences were denied by the Sendai High
Court on November eleventh, two thousand three. The Sendai High
Court also turned down Sachiko Ato's appeal on November twelfth,
two thousand five. The Supreme Court of Japan formally denied
Ato's appeal on September sixteen, two thousand eight, so upholding
her death sentence. After the war, she became the tenth
(09:12):
female prisoner to be given the death penalty. On September
twenty seventh, twenty twelve, Sachiko Eto was put to death.
The last time Japan carried out an execution was nearly
two years ago. One of the most notorious criminal cases
in Japanese history involved sachiko Eto, often known as the
(09:33):
Drumstick Killer. Sachiko Etto, called the Drumstick Killer, led a
cult and perpetrated six killings in Sukagawa City in the
years nineteen ninety four and nineteen ninety five. She was
a crazy cult leader who thought she had direct divine
communication with God. Because of her mental condition and delusions,
she attacked and killed several individuals. Sachiko Ato may have
(09:56):
been found guilty and executed, but the agony she inflicted
on her victims and their loved ones will never go away.
We must not forget their experiences and instead seek to
ensure that similar tragedies never happen again. And that was
the horrifying case of the terrible events surrounding sachiko Eto
(10:16):
the Drumstick Killer. Serving as a sobering warning to anyone
who finds themselves or a loved one embroiled in a cult.
The story also emphasizes the value of providing mental health
care and assistance to people who need it, as we
never truly know what someone is capable of. If you
(10:40):
enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Rogue Darkness on
your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to
bring you more stories of true crime and the paranormal.
Definitely let me know your thoughts on this case and
if you have any questions regarding it or any other
cases I've previously covered, you can always contact me at
Rogue darknesspod at gmail dot com. You can also always
(11:04):
reach out to me directly on my socials. Instagram, Twitter, TikTok,
and YouTube are all at Rogue Underscore Darkness. As always,
be sure to share the podcast with anyone who you
think would like it, and be sure to leave a
rating and review over on Apple, iTunes, Spotify, good Pods,
or anywhere else you can leave a review to let
other listeners know you enjoy the show, and if you
(11:26):
want some personalized shoutouts and other exclusives, definitely check out
my Patreon by visiting patreon dot com slash Rogue Darkness.
You can also check out my Bondfire shop if you
want to get your hands on some merch to support
the show even further. As always, all the links for
everything discussed in my episodes are down in the description
box of the episode. And with that said, that concludes
(11:48):
this week's episode of Rogue Darkness. The Darkness is all
around us, and I can confidently say that reality truly
is more terrifying then fiction. Until next time,
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