She was 17. Full of dreams, ready to start her first job, and just weeks away from graduating high school. But in late 1988, Junko Furuta’s life was stolen in one of Japan’s most shocking and heartbreaking crimes. Held captive for 44 days, her suffering exposed not only the darkness of her attackers but also the failings of a system meant to protect her.

In this episode of Sleepless at 3AM, I take you inside the haunting case that shook Japan: the cruelty she endured, the justice that fell short, and the echoes of her story that still linger today. This isn’t just a true crime story—it’s a story about fear, silence, and the fight to remember a young girl whose voice was taken far too soon.