Japan’s ‘Black Widow’ loses death sentence appeal

TOKYO: A Japanese woman dubbed the "Black Widow" who used cyanide to kill her elderly lovers had her final appeal against the death sentence rejected on Tuesday by the country’s top court, local media said.

Chisako Kakehi, 74, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2017 for the murder of three men -- including a husband -- and the attempted murder of another, in a case that gripped Japan. Two years ago, a high court dismissed an appeal by the serial killer who pocketed millions in insurance payouts and inheritance, drawing comparisons in the media with the spider that poisons its mate after copulation.