Man Faces Life Sentence for Murder of 14-Year-Old British-Nigerian Teen

A Spanish-Brazilian man, Marcus Monzo, has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old British-Nigerian schoolboy, Daniel Anjorin, during a brutal spree of attacks in northeast London.

The jury at London’s Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) convicted 37-year-old Monzo on Wednesday of murder, three counts of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.

Monzo launched the 20-minute rampage in Hainault on April 30 last year, intending to kill as many people as possible, the court heard.

Daniel’s life was tragically cut short when Monzo attacked him from behind with a samurai sword, delivering what prosecutors described as a “devastating and unsurvivable” blow to the side of his face and neck. Witnesses recalled Monzo dropping to his knees and screaming “in delight” after the fatal attack.

Daniel’s devastated parents, who sat through the harrowing trial, described him as a “beloved son” and “loving brother,” expressing heartbreak that their child never returned home after leaving for school that morning.

Before killing Daniel, Monzo drove his van into a pedestrian, Donato Iwule, and attacked him with a sword. He later attacked two police officers and a couple in their home, demanding to know if they “believe in God” before leaving. A police officer, PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, was struck multiple times with the 60cm blade, while Inspector Molloy Campbell suffered a slash wound to his hand during efforts to detain Monzo.

Monzo, a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, was eventually subdued after climbing onto a garage roof. He later compared his actions to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games, claiming an alternate persona took over during the attacks.

Although Monzo admitted drinking ayahuasca a hallucinogenic brew before the incident, tests showed no trace of the Class A drug in his system. The prosecution argued that self-induced intoxication or psychosis did not excuse his violent actions.

Jurors also heard that Monzo had a fascination with “killing films” and was seen reenacting stabbing motions while detained at Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital.

Monzo was cleared of one attempted murder charge but found guilty of the lesser offence of wounding with intent in relation to that victim.

He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday.