On June 25, 2025, Marcus Arduini Monzo, a 37-year-old dual Spanish-Brazilian national from Newham, east London, was found guilty of the brutal murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin during a violent rampage in Hainault, north-east London, in April 2024. The chilling attack, which lasted just 20 minutes, saw Monzo wield a samurai sword to inflict devastating injuries, nearly decapitating the schoolboy as he walked to school with headphones on.
The Old Bailey jury also convicted Monzo of three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. While he was cleared of one attempted murder charge, he was found guilty of the lesser offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Monzo admitted to possessing two swords, including the samurai sword used in the attack, but denied all other charges.
The rampage began just before 7 a.m. on April 30, 2024, when Monzo drove his grey Ford Transit van at speed into pedestrian Donato Iwule. The impact "catapulted" Iwule into a nearby garden, and Monzo, brandishing the sword, chased him down the street. Mr. Iwule pleaded, "I don't know you," only to hear Monzo reply, "I don't care – I'm going to kill you," before slashing him in the neck. This terrifying start was captured on a doorbell camera and set the tone for the violence that followed.
Monzo then targeted Daniel Anjorin, who was walking along the residential street wearing his school PE kit and headphones, unaware of the approaching danger. Witnesses described Monzo moving "like a predator," attacking Daniel from behind with a 60cm blade, causing a "near-decapitation" that was essentially unsurvivable. One witness, Maria Olmos, recalled Monzo dropping to his knees and letting out an "extremely loud scream" of delight, which she interpreted as a celebration of the attack.
Following the fatal assault on Daniel, Monzo continued his spree, attacking PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield as she pursued him through alleyways. She was struck three times with "extreme force" by the sword and fell bleeding to the ground, telling a colleague, "Don't let me die here." Monzo also forced his way into a nearby home where a couple, Sindy Arias and Henry De Los Rios Polania, were sleeping with their four-year-old daughter nearby. He repeatedly asked if they "believe in God" before slashing Mr. De Los Rios Polania on the arm. The couple's lives were spared when their child woke and began to cry, prompting Monzo to leave.
Inspector Moloy Campbell confronted Monzo in a car park, enduring a terrifying attack where Monzo slashed his hand with the sword. The struggle was intense, with Inspector Campbell using a baton and PAVA spray in an attempt to subdue the attacker. Eventually, officers fired multiple Tasers, and Monzo was disarmed and arrested after climbing onto the roof of a garage.
Throughout the trial, it emerged that Monzo was a "talented martial artist" with a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who had bought the swords online for display purposes. Footage shown to the jury included a video from early April 2024 of Monzo unboxing one of the swords, calling it "freaking sexy" and joking about doing "ninja stuff."
However, the court also heard disturbing details about Monzo's mental state and online activities. He had gone into a cannabis-induced psychosis on the day of the attacks, having killed and skinned his pet cat, Wizard, before setting out on his rampage. Monzo claimed he had "many personalities," including a "professional assassin," and likened his actions to the film franchise The Hunger Games. Despite claiming no memory of the attacks and diminished responsibility due to his mental state, prosecutors argued that his psychosis was self-induced by cannabis use and did not meet the threshold for diminished responsibility.
Monzo's social media activity revealed a fascination with conspiracy theories, far-right extremism, and controversial figures such as Andrew Tate. His X account liked posts praising Adolf Hitler and spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories and misogynistic Incel material. He expressed belief in the flat Earth theory and conspiracy theories about 9/11, as well as chemtrails, posting that "they spray the sky ALL DAY, EVERY DAY" in London. He also engaged with content about CIA brainwashing, the Titanic disaster, ancient giants, and anti-vaccination misinformation.
Monzo's background included extensive travel and involvement in extreme spiritual practices. He moved to London in 2013, having grown up in Brazil, and described being bullied in his youth. He attended retreats in India and the Amazon, where he consumed ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea, and began engaging in extreme behaviors such as drinking and showering with his own urine for "cleaning" purposes. Days before the attack, he heard voices telling him his cat had turned against him, leading to the cat's release and eventual return, after which Monzo strangled and skinned it, believing he needed to eat it to "replenish energy." He did not eat the cat but placed it in his van along with the swords and other items.
The attack sent shockwaves through the community. Daniel Anjorin's parents, who sat through the harrowing trial, described their son as a "loving and precious brother" and "the most loved and amazing son." Bancroft’s School, which Daniel attended, expressed profound shock and sorrow, remembering him as a "true scholar" with a gentle character. Arsenal Football Club paid tribute by projecting Daniel’s image on the Emirates Stadium screens and holding a moment of applause in the 14th minute of a Premier League match.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley praised the "extraordinary bravery" of the officers who responded, noting two suffered life-changing injuries. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell expressed deep sympathy for Daniel's family, acknowledging their courage and dignity throughout the ordeal. He commended the police officers and emergency workers for their remarkable bravery in confronting Monzo and preventing further loss of life.
Kirsty O’Connor from the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the courage of PC Mechem-Whitfield, PC Cameron King, Inspector Campbell, and others who risked their safety to stop Monzo. Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor, explained the legal challenge in proving that Monzo’s psychotic state was caused by his cannabis misuse rather than an underlying mental health condition, which was crucial to securing a murder conviction rather than manslaughter.
Monzo showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out and is due to be sentenced on June 27, 2025, when he is expected to receive a life sentence for his crimes. The case stands as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of violent acts fueled by drug-induced psychosis and the vital role of law enforcement in protecting communities from harm.
