The Japanese entertainment scene is mourning the loss of actor Mizuki Itagaki (板垣瑞生), who tragically died at the age of 24 after he went missing for months. While condolences and tributes from fans and fellow celebrities continue to pour in, there have been new updates on the case.
Mizuki’s death was announced via a statement posted by his family on 17th April 2025 (Thursday). The statement revealed that the actor was recently found dead after going missing since the start of the year. His family never disclosed the cause of death but said that he had been struggling with mental health issues since last year. After months of searching, police officers found his body somewhere in Tokyo.
The first mention of the actor’s struggles with mental health was in March 2024, after he suddenly closed his official social media accounts and announced his departure from his longtime agency, Stardust Promotion. Mizuki also revealed that he was even hospitalised, likely due to mental health issues. However, there were no reports of him going missing until the news of his death.
As fans and celebrities continue to pay tribute to the late actor, Japanese television station TBS reported additional details on his death. According to TBS, Mizuki’s family filed a missing person report over his disappearance at the end of January 2025. His body was reportedly found in mid-March, but investigations suggest that he died in early February. Authorities found no external injuries on his body and concluded that no foul play was involved in his death.
Mizuki made his debut in 2014 when he was just 14 years old. He later starred in many popular movies and television shows, including “Hibiki”, “Solomon’s Perjury” and “In-House Marriage Honey”. Besides acting, he was also active as an idol in the Japanese boy group M!LK from 2014 to 2020. His career as an actor and idol amassed him a loyal following in Japan and globally.
We extend our condolences to Mizuki’s family and his loved ones. May they find solace during this difficult time, and may the star rest in peace.
Sources: Koreaboo, Yahoo! Japan
