The father of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin has shared the devastating moment he found his son lying motionless in a pool of blood after he was fatally attacked with a samurai sword in Hainault, east London.
Daniel, described as kind, thoughtful, and academically gifted, was ambushed while walking to school in his PE kit during a violent, drug-fuelled rampage by Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, that left five others injured.
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Monzo, high on cannabis and in a state of psychosis, was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 38 years and 309 days before he will be eligible for parole.
Wearing a green jumper and grey prison-issue tracksuit, Monzo remained emotionless as Judge Mr Justice Bennathan described how a peaceful spring morning on April 30, 2024, was shattered by his actions.
“A clever, talented, much-loved young boy was killed by a savage blow with a sword,” the judge said.
“You, Marcos Arduini Monzo, did all of that.”
In a statement read to the court, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, Daniel’s father, recalled being alerted by his eldest son and running outside.
“Just across the road I saw a hunched-up body… I recognised the school sports clothes and saw his face,” he said.
“He was lying in a pool of blood… I knew at once he was dead. I reached out, called his name, and held his head.”
Daniel’s mother screamed and cried when she arrived at the scene and saw paramedics trying to revive their son.
The family paid tribute to Daniel — a talented student who played the violin and piano, loved sports, and dreamed of going to university.
“Daniel had so much potential to excel in so many areas. He could have been a great scientist, financier, or business founder,” his father said.
“All these hopes and aspirations have been cruelly snatched away from us through the wicked actions of Marcus Monzo.”
Calling Monzo a “danger to society,” Dr Anjorin said the killer had shown no remorse and added that the “random, savage attack” shocked the entire country.
During his 20-minute rampage, Monzo attacked a pedestrian, two police officers, and a couple in their home. He killed his pet cat, Wizard, and ran down Donato Iwule with a van before fatally attacking Daniel.
Witness Maria Olmos described how Monzo screamed in delight after the killing.
“It wasn’t a scream of pain,” she said. “It was a scream of delight… like he was celebrating.”
PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, who chased Monzo through alleyways, suffered significant injuries after being struck three times with the sword. She has had four surgeries and remains unable to return to work.
Monzo then broke into a home, attacked a couple in their bed, and shouted, “Do you believe in God?” before escaping again and slashing Inspector Moloy Campbell, who still hasn’t regained full use of his hand.
During trial, Monzo claimed to have no memory of the attacks. He admitted owning two swords but said mental illness diminished his responsibility.
Jurors heard Monzo had skinned his cat, believed the Earth was flat, and claimed 9/11 was a conspiracy. He also claimed to have an alternate personality — a “professional assassin.”
He drank his own urine and said his beliefs intensified after visiting India and consuming ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea. However, tests showed no DMT, the active compound in ayahuasca, in his system.
Monzo was convicted of:
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Murder of Daniel Anjorin
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Three counts of attempted murder
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Wounding with intent
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Aggravated burglary
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Possessing a bladed article
He was cleared of one attempted murder charge but found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Outside the Old Bailey, Dr Anjorin and his wife Grace expressed their grief:
“No verdict or sentence can bring back our son Daniel, but we are grateful that justice has been served.”
Judge Bennathan commended the bravery of the police officers who risked their lives to protect the public during the terrifying attack
