Spanish-Brazilian Faces Life Sentence for Murder of British-Nigerian Teen in London Sword Rampage

A terrifying sword attack in London has left a British-Nigerian teenager dead and others wounded.

The killer, Marcus Monzo, hunted victims in a 20-minute frenzy that shocked the nation.

Marcus Monzo, a 37-year-old Spanish-Brazilian national, is facing a life sentence after being convicted of the brutal murder of 14-year-old British-Nigerian schoolboy Daniel Anjorin during a violent sword attack in northeast London. The attack, which occurred on April 30, 2023, also left several others injured in a 20-minute spree that shocked the nation.

A jury at London’s Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) on Wednesday found Monzo guilty of murder, three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. The court heard how Monzo set out on a mission to kill as many people as possible in a spree of random, frenzied attacks in Hainault.

Daniel Anjorin was on his way to school when he was ambushed by Monzo, who used a samurai sword to deliver what prosecutors described as a “devastating and unsurvivable” blow to the boy’s face and neck. Witnesses recounted how Monzo, after attacking Daniel, dropped to his knees, lifted both arms, and screamed loudly an outburst one witness interpreted as a display of twisted triumph.

The teenager’s tragic death has left his family devastated. His parents, who sat through the heart-wrenching trial, said in a statement:

“Daniel had left the house for school, and then he was gone. It is difficult for us at this time to process what has happened to him and that he will never come home. Our children have lost their loving and precious brother, and we have lost the most loved and amazing son.”

Before killing Daniel, Monzo had already struck another victim. The court was told that he began his rampage by driving a grey Ford Transit van into Donato Iwule, catapulting him into a nearby garden. He then exited the crashed van and slashed Mr. Iwule in the neck with his sword before fleeing the scene.

After the fatal blow to Daniel, Monzo attacked two Metropolitan Police officers. PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was hit three times with a 60cm blade with what prosecutors described as “extreme force” during a chase through alleyways. Another officer, Inspector Molloy Campbell, attempted to arrest Monzo and sustained a slash wound to the hand.

Monzo’s violence escalated further when he broke into a home where a couple and their child were asleep. He reportedly entered their bedroom, confronted the couple, and asked them if they “believe in God” before launching another attack.

Monzo’s actions were described by prosecutors as calculated and vicious. Although he claimed to have no memory of the events, saying his mental health was compromised, the court rejected his defense. He insisted that an alternative persona had taken over, and he compared the events to the fictional “Hunger Games.” However, the jury was not convinced.

The defense argued that Monzo was suffering from a psychotic episode triggered by consuming ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew containing DMT. Monzo had reportedly consumed the substance in the days leading up to the attack. However, medical experts testified that no traces of DMT were found in his system, weakening the claim of drug-induced psychosis.

Further undermining his plea, the prosecution revealed disturbing details from Monzo’s time in Broadmoor secure psychiatric hospital. He reportedly mimicked stabbing actions while discussing violent films with a staff member behavior the prosecution said showed a disturbing fascination with violence.

Monzo had already admitted to possessing the samurai sword used in the attack and a katana sword that was discovered in his van. He was also cleared of one attempted murder charge related to Henry De Los Rios Polania but was convicted of a lesser offense of wounding with intent.

Throughout the trial, Monzo showed no visible emotion as the verdicts were delivered. The court also heard about his personal background. Originally from Brazil, he moved to the UK in 2013 and had trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning a blue belt. He had practiced mixed martial arts until a 2016 injury. Following that setback, he claimed he pursued yoga and spiritual enlightenment, eventually following an online guru and attending a retreat in India.

According to his testimony, Monzo became engrossed in mystical practices and began consuming ayahuasca, believing in its transformative powers. He told the court he thought he had become a “professional assassin” due to a shift in his personality. However, the jury found these explanations insufficient in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Monzo will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, where he is expected to receive a life sentence.