By Emeka Blast 
Sword Rampage Killer Gets Life Imprisonment for Schoolboy Murder
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 38 years and 309 days at the Old Bailey today for the brutal murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin during a 20-minute sword rampage in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30, 2024. The court heard how Monzo, in a cannabis-induced psychotic state, killed Daniel and injured five others, including two police officers, in a series of unprovoked attacks.
The rampage began when Monzo, a former Amazon delivery driver with dual Spanish-Brazilian citizenship, crashed his van into pedestrian Donato Iwule, slashing his neck with a samurai sword after declaring his intent to kill. He then ambushed Daniel, who was walking to school in his PE kit, wearing headphones, unaware of Monzo’s approach despite neighbors’ desperate warnings. Witnesses described Monzo “screaming in delight” after delivering a near-fatal blow to Daniel’s neck, causing unsurvivable injuries.
Monzo continued his spree, breaking into the home of Henry De Los Rios Polania and Sindy Arias, where he attacked Polania while shouting about belief in God, terrifying their four-year-old daughter. Police officers responding to the scene faced severe injuries: PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield sustained a fractured skull and nerve damage, while Inspector Moloy Campbell suffered deep wounds to his hand. Monzo was eventually subdued with a Taser and arrested.
During the trial, the court learned Monzo had killed and skinned his pet cat, Wizard, hours before the attacks, believing it was controlling him. He admitted to cannabis use and consuming ayahuasca, a hallucinogen, but prosecutors argued his psychosis was self-induced through drug use, holding him fully responsible. Monzo, who expressed an interest in conspiracy theories and far-right extremism, showed no remorse during sentencing, staring emotionless as victim impact statements were read.
Dr. Ebenezer Anjorin, Daniel’s father, delivered a heart-wrenching statement, recalling the moment he found his son’s body: “I saw a hunched-up body by the side of the road… I recognized his school sports clothes and saw his face, lying in a pool of blood.” He described Daniel as a “clever, talented, much-loved” boy with a generous spirit, whose loss has devastated his family. “No sentence can temper our grief,” he added.
Mr. Justice Bennathan, presiding over the case, praised the “exemplary courage” of the police officers and Dr. Anjorin’s dignified composure throughout the trial. He noted Monzo’s “previous good character” and mental state reduced the minimum term from 40 to 38 years, accounting for 421 days already served. The judge emphasized the “savage” nature of the attacks, stating it was “miraculous” more lives were not lost.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell of the Metropolitan Police expressed condolences to Daniel’s family, commending the bravery of officers who risked their lives to stop Monzo. The community of Hainault remains in shock, with Daniel’s family vowing to honor his memory through the love and happiness he brought to those who knew him.
