Following Issei Sagawa’s arrest, French authorities ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. As reported by Vice, the psychologists concluded Sagawa was unfit to stand trial, as they determined he was legally insane. As he was unfit to stand trial, prosecutors dropped the criminal charges.
Although criminal charges were not an option, Daily Star reports French authorities ordered Sagawa to be admitted to a long-term mental health facility, where it was expected that he would spend the remainder of his life.
While serving time in the mental health facility, Sagawa became somewhat of a celebrity. According to New Criminologist, Sagawa did not appear to have any remorse for his crimes. In fact, he seemed to enjoy discussing the minute details about how he killed, mutilated, and ultimately consumed parts of his victim.
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Sagawa eventually organized his macabre thoughts, and the details of his crime, in a book titled, “In the Fog.” Despite the gruesome nature of the book, it became a best seller in Japan. New Criminologist reports French authorities were becoming weary of Sagawa’s growing popularity and decided to send him back to his homeland of Japan — where he was expected to remain in a mental health facility.
Upon his arrival back to Japan, The Japan Times reports Sagawa was ordered to submit to another mental health examination. However, the team of psychologists in Japan determined Sagawa was legally sane when he committed the crimes against Renée Hartevelt.
