In both the Japanese and the American versions, Takeo is the murderer of Kayako, his wife, following his discovery about her secret feelings for another man, as well as their son, Toshio, and their cat, Mar. His rancorous act gathers the grudge curse that inhabits their house and affects anyone who steps inside.

Why was Kayako killed?

Originally a regular housewife, Kayako was killed by her husband after he thought she was having an affair; as a result, she came back an angry and vengeful spirit who only seeks death, destruction, and a continuation of the curse that made her unable to rest.

Why does Kayako make that sound?

Kayako's signature croak (also referred to as a death rattle), comes from the fact that her husband Takeo had snapped her neck but hadn't killed her, and she is trying to breathe through a broken windpipe. Her stumbles also come from the fact that her ankle broke as she was trying to run away from her husband.