YouTuber Stabbed to Death During Livestream By Man Who Recognized Building Behind Her, Police Say

Mar. 15, 2025

Japanese police — March 11, 2025.Photo:Kyodo News via AP

Kyodo News via AP

Police have arrested a suspect in the stabbing death of a YouTuber who was tracked down and attacked during her livestream in Tokyo.

Kenichi “Kenji” Takano, 42, was taken into police custody in connection with the stabbing death of 22-year-old Airi Sato, Japan’sKyodo Newsreported Wednesday, March 12, citing the Metropolitan Police Department.

Suspect Kenichi Takano.The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP

The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP

According toCBS Newsand theNew York Times, viewers on Sato’s livestream heard her screaming for help before the connection went dark.

At least two witnesses spoke with authorities, with one telling police the screaming lasted around 15 seconds. Another said she saw a man wearing a black hat attacking the victim, per Kyodo News.

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However, authorities do not believe it was a random attack.

Police said Sato and Takano became familiar with each other in 2021 and he is believed to have allowed her to borrow money from him beginning around 2022.

“There was trouble. I had lent her more than 2 million yen ($13,500) but she did not return it,” he reportedly told officers.

Citing investigators, Kyodo News reported that both the influencer and the suspect had already spoken with police outside of Tokyo regarding the dispute.

Takano reportedly traveled about 60 miles to Tokyo from Oyama after Sato announced the livestream.

Police said he had two knives in his possession at the time of his arrest, according to the news outlet. Sato was reportedly stabbed multiple times in her neck and chest.

She was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Takano reportedly told police it was not his intention to kill Sato.

source: people.com