Marcus Arduini-Monzo, a 37-year-old man, has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old Black schoolboy Daniel Anjorin, the son of British-Nigerian parents, in a violent samurai sword attack in north-east London.
The Old Bailey heard that Arduini-Monzo launched a brutal rampage on 30 April 2024 in Hainault, while in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis. Daniel, who had stepped out just 14 metres from his home, was hacked to death with a 60cm samurai sword, The Guardian UK reports.
Arduini-Monzo was convicted of Daniel’s murder, three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Witnesses said the attacker screamed “in delight” and smiled after killing Daniel. The former Amazon delivery driver also slashed and injured four others, including a pedestrian and a man who was at home with his partner and child.
Daniel’s grieving parents, British-Nigerians, sat through the trial. In an earlier statement, they said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Daniel” and admitted they were “struggling to accept the reality that he will never come home.” They described him as “a loving and precious brother” and “the most loved and amazing son.”
Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the jury: “It is miraculous that more people were not killed” during the 20-minute rampage, during which Arduini-Monzo “slashed and chopped at whoever he came across”.
Following his arrest, Arduini-Monzo compared the attack to The Hunger Games and described himself as a “professional assassin”.
He told police his personality had switched and said, “something happened, like a game happening”. He had also killed and skinned his pet cat, Wizard, shortly before the attack.
In court, Arduini-Monzo claimed he had no memory of the incident and blamed it on his mental state. He said he had drunk ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea, though no DMT – its active substance – was detected in his body.
His defence argued he suffered from “psychotic episodes with schizophrenia-like symptoms, prompted by his use of cannabis”. However, the prosecution said his condition was self-induced and not a defence to murder.
Jurors also heard he re-enacted stabbing motions at Broadmoor hospital while talking about “killing films”.
He was acquitted of one attempted murder charge involving Henry De Los Rios Polania, but found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
It has now emerged that Arduini-Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national who lived in Newham, east London, had online links to violence, conspiracy theories, and far-right extremism.
His social media activity featured content related to Andrew Tate, Elon Musk, Adolf Hitler, and the incel movement.
In court, he claimed to believe the world was flat and said the 9/11 attacks were “probably” a conspiracy. He also had a deep fascination with Japanese samurai culture and katana swords.
Originally from Brazil, he moved to the UK in 2013. After a sports injury in 2016 ended his martial arts pursuits, he turned to yoga and spirituality, followed a YouTube guru, and spent a year at an Indian retreat.
A former boxing coach described him as “a bit different” and said, “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 that he was fully responsible for the devastation he caused last year. The jury, by their unequivocal verdicts, have accepted the prosecution case.
“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 of the victims who continue to recover from their injuries and trauma.
“The courage shown by PC Mechem-Whitfield, PC King, Inspector Campbell and others who selflessly sought to apprehend Arduini-Monzo whilst facing extreme personal danger was exceptional and undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Marcus Arduini-Monzo is due to be sentenced on 27 June.
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