A chilling chapter of violence, horror, and heartbreak closed at the Old Bailey on Thursday as Marcus Arduini-Monzo, a 37-year-old dual Spanish-Brazilian national, was found guilty of the savage murder of 14-year-old British-Nigerian schoolboy, Daniel Anjorin, in what prosecutors described as a “cannabis-induced frenzy” fueled by psychosis and disturbing online obsessions.
The tragedy unfolded on April 30, 2024, in the quiet neighbourhood of Hainault, north-east London, where Daniel had stepped just 14 metres from his front door—a routine moment that would be his last. Arduini-Monzo, wielding a 60cm-long samurai sword, hacked the innocent boy to death in a sickening, unprovoked attack. Witnesses reported the attacker smiling and screaming “in delight” after killing the teenager.
In a 20-minute rampage that left Londoners stunned, Arduini-Monzo also injured four others, including a pedestrian and a man inside his home with his partner and child. Prosecutor Tom Little KC told jurors, “It is miraculous that more people were not killed.”
Arduini-Monzo, a former Amazon delivery driver from Newham, was convicted of Daniel’s murder, three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon. He was, however, acquitted of one attempted murder charge but convicted of wounding with intent in that case.
The grieving parents of Daniel, of British-Nigerian descent, endured the harrowing trial in silence, broken only by an earlier statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel. We are struggling to accept the reality that he will never come home.” They described Daniel as “the most loved and amazing son, a loving and precious brother.”
The court heard deeply disturbing revelations about the attacker’s mental state and twisted ideologies. Arduini-Monzo compared the killing spree to The Hunger Games and claimed to be a “professional assassin.” He told officers during his arrest that “something happened, like a game happening.” Just before the rampage, he had killed and skinned his pet cat, named Wizard.
In court, he claimed amnesia and blamed his actions on a mental break triggered by ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea. However, no trace of DMT, its active component, was found in his body. His defence argued that he suffered from “psychotic episodes with schizophrenia-like symptoms”, allegedly sparked by long-term cannabis abuse. But prosecutors insisted his mental condition was self-inflicted and not an excuse for murder.
The jury also heard that Arduini-Monzo had re-enacted stabbing motions at Broadmoor Hospital and ranted about “killing films.” He maintained a disturbing online presence, frequently engaging with content linked to far-right ideologies, conspiracy theories, and figures such as Andrew Tate, Elon Musk, and Adolf Hitler. He subscribed to flat-Earth beliefs, doubted the 9/11 attacks, and idolized samurai culture and katana swords.
Originally from Brazil, Arduini-Monzo moved to the UK in 2013. After a martial arts injury ended his athletic aspirations, he turned to yoga, spiritualism, and conspiracy-driven content. He spent a year in India following a YouTube guru and became increasingly isolated and unstable. A former boxing coach recalled him as “a bit different… as far as I know, he did not have any friends.”
Kirsty O’Connor of the Crown Prosecution Service said:
> “The CPS maintained throughout that Arduini-Monzo’s mental state was driven by his own cannabis misuse, which meant he was fully responsible for the devastation he caused. The jury, by their unequivocal verdicts, have accepted the prosecution’s case.”
She added, “Our hearts go out to Daniel Anjorin’s family and friends who have suffered his unimaginable loss in horrific circumstances, and our thoughts remain with all the victims still recovering.”
She also hailed the heroism of responding officers, including PC Mechem-Whitfield, PC King, and Inspector Campbell, who risked their lives to confront the sword-wielding attacker. “Their bravery prevented further bloodshed,” she said.
Marcus Arduini-Monzo is due to be sentenced on June 27, facing what is expected to be a lengthy prison term, possibly life without parole.
This tragic case serves as a harrowing reminder of the growing dangers of untreated mental illness, drug-induced psychosis, and online radicalization—a toxic combination that ended the life of a promising young boy and shattered an entire community.
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