Three friends at a martial arts gym in east London watched in disbelief as grainy footage showed a man wielding a samurai sword during a horrifying 20-minute rampage in Laing Close, Hainault, on the morning of 30 April last year. Screams of “he’s got a massive knife” echoed among residents as the attacker, later identified as Marcus Arduini Monzo, drove his van into a pedestrian, then launched a brutal assault that left one 14-year-old boy dead and several others, including two police officers, seriously injured.

The victim, Daniel Anjorin, a schoolboy described by his family as a “beloved son and a precious brother,” tragically died in hospital after being stabbed. The attacker also broke into a nearby home, slashing a father in front of his estranged wife and their young daughter, and inflicted severe injuries on responding police officers. Members of the local gym, who once knew Monzo as a sociable and disciplined martial artist, were shocked to see him transformed into a gaunt figure consumed by violent delusion.

Monzo, now 37, faced trial at the Old Bailey where he was found guilty of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and other serious offences including aggravated burglary and possession of bladed weapons. Prior to his conviction, he admitted carrying both a katana and a tanto, traditional Japanese swords used during the attack. The prosecution argued that Monzo’s actions were a result of a cannabis-induced psychosis rather than an underlying mental illness, a position upheld by the jury who rejected his pleas of diminished responsibility. He is due to be sentenced imminently, with the possibility of a life sentence looming.

Born in rural Brazil, Monzo’s early years in Paranaguá, near the small town of Astorga, were starkly different from the violent episode in London. Former school friends and neighbours described him as an easygoing boy, never prone to aggression, and someone who shared a close bond with peers. His family experienced hardship when large agricultural corporations displaced their farming livelihood. Despite early struggles, he earned a business administration degree and ran an online clothing business before moving to London in 2013. Those who knew him remember a happy-go-lucky young man, physically fit and competitive in martial arts competitions.

However, Monzo’s life began to spiral following a competition injury in 2016 and his increasing use of drugs, including cannabis, LSD-like hallucinogens, and the hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca. His interest in spirituality deepened, influenced by figures like Sadhguru and retreats in India and Brazil, where he became immersed in esoteric practices and extreme lifestyle beliefs, including breatharianism—the idea of living without food. His behaviour grew erratic; he rejected his past achievements and became socially isolated.

By 2021, tensions with family over personal hygiene and behaviour hinted at a growing detachment from reality. Online, Monzo shared conspiracy theories linked to Covid-19, DNA alteration, and fringe political views, including support for David Icke’s theories and bizarre claims such as the world being flat or controlled by "evil wizard-type aliens." Witnesses at his trial described his passionate and frightening insistence on these beliefs, which reflected a deepening paranoia. His friends from the martial arts community remarked that in 2023, when he returned to training briefly, he seemed withdrawn and “not the same person,” even resorting to using an outdated “brick” phone rather than a smartphone.

The brutal incident itself began with Monzo crashing his van into Donato Iwule, a security guard, whom he then stabbed. He subsequently attacked Daniel Anjorin with deadly force before continuing to assault others, including stabbing a man in his home and seriously wounding two Metropolitan Police officers who attempted to apprehend him. The officers suffered life-changing injuries, and police praised their heroism in subduing Monzo during the violent spree.

The jury heard that Monzo claimed to have no memory of the attacks, attributing his actions to a psychotic episode triggered by drug use. However, the prosecution emphasized that self-induced intoxication does not absolve an individual of criminal responsibility. The conviction highlights the tragic consequences of untreated mental health issues exacerbated by substance abuse and conspiracy-driven delusions.

Neighbours who had limited contact with Monzo described him as a lonely figure, rarely seen with friends or romantic partners, underscoring the social isolation that may have contributed to his unraveling. Friends who last spoke with him several years prior lamented that despite his early promise, he seemed unable to find himself amid his travels and inner struggles.

The case leaves lingering questions about the intersection of mental health, drug use, and violent crime, and mourns a young life senselessly lost in a moment of unthinkable violence.

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Source: Noah Wire Services