A crime that shocked the world because it was so heinous and yet fascinating at the same time took place in 1981 in France’s capital, Paris. It was June 11 when Dutch student Renée Hartevelt was invited to dinner at the apartment of her Japanese classmate, Issei Sagawa. She had no idea that he would kill her in cold blood with a gunshot to the back of the neck, then dismember her body over the course of three days so that he could eat her body parts. For Issei Sagawa was a man-eater obsessed with cannibalism. Sagawa not only ate Renée’s body parts but also molested her mutilated corpse. The very thought of it is enough to make one feel sick. As the remaining body parts began to decompose, Sagawa wanted to dispose of them, so he packed them into two suitcases to sink them in the lake in the Bois de Boulogne park. But Sagawa was caught in the act and arrested by the French police. Issei Sagawa was a small, complex-ridden man, standing only 1.45 meters tall, who viewed himself as a freak of nature. He came from a wealthy family that enabled him to study abroad in Paris. His father provided him with a renowned lawyer. Issei Sagawa waited two years for his trial before French Judge Jean-Louis Brugiére found him not criminally responsible and committed him to a psychiatric institution. He was subsequently deported to Japan and admitted to the Matsuzawa Clinic in Tokyo. Although psychologists deemed him sane, since the charges in France had been dropped, Issei Sagawa was released on August 13, 1985, after 15 months. From then on, he capitalized on his crime and published the novel-like memoir “In the Fog,” in which he described his act in detail. Issei Sagawa exerted a great fascination on people and became a media star, whose crime provided ample material for books and films. On November 24, 2022, at the age of 73, the ruthless cannibal Issei Sagawa died of pneumonia and was subsequently buried in a small private ceremony. Throughout his life, he never had to answer for the murder of Renée Hartevelt, with whom he was secretly in love. He himself once said: “When you fall in love, you really want to kiss her. It’s just the same. I just wanted to taste her.”
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
