I was in two minds about posting this because part of me wished I’d never found out, but I think it is better for people to know as only the paid version of the app seems to be available now and don’t think the developer should be supported (if the money is even reaching him at this point). I may have only come across the article because I also live in Scotland so it was the top result so I thought it should be shared.
Essentially, it appears that the developer was involved in *very* serious crimes about a year and a half ago.
More specifically >!double murder!< and (TW) >!sexual assault involving a very young child!<
[Here is the link to an article (NSFL descriptions; SFW pictures of those involved)](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/man-stand-trial-accused-murdering-26694786)
There are plenty of other articles with other information (e.g. that the accused is an app developer) and there are records with the same name and initials on websites about game developers that fit the small bio in the Kanji Tree app.
I did some digging and found a thread mentioning court documents that shows the same middle initials and his background matches the description in the app so I’m 99% sure it’s him. And he also has a Japanese wife and children (not related to the people in the article who seem to be from the Philippines).
I also found a thread that linked to a (now deleted) Facebook account which had posts that linked the owner of the account to the property where the crimes took place. This is the same account linked in the KT app, so it seems pretty concrete that it’s the same person, though I cannot confirm this for myself.
After writing all that I’ve just noticed that it actually lists the same address in the developer contact section on the Kanji Tree page as in the article so this is 100% him.
This all came as such a huge shock to me and I feel kind of dirty using the app now and for paying for the full version in the time since the crimes took place.
I’m sorry if this doesn’t fit the sub and that it’s such a downer, but I feel it’s relevant as this app is mentioned quite a bit here.
6 comments
Fwiw, I appreciate the information, both about a developer to avoid and a irregularly updated app.
Damn, I liked that app a lot.
And thought about buying it after the free version disappeared.
Wish I could find a safe .apk, not trying to give money to a murderer.
Yikes. I was considering trying it out since it’s so cheap and highly recommended, but that’s not happening now.
Wow, I actually had the free app installed but never used it. I looked up the app on play store and the free version is not there, not even on the list of apps I have installed. I can still use the app though. I’ll delete it since I don’t use it anyway.
Wow, that took a really dark turn. I guess technically he still gets paid if you buy the app. Crazy
That’s wild, and sucks because it really is a good app. Hopefully someone who isn’t a total piece of shit can make something similar.