A mother from Swansea who killed her six-year-old son during a severe mental health crisis has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.
Karolina Zurawska, 42, originally from Poland, fatally attacked her son Alexander with a handsaw at their home in Gendros, Swansea, on 29 August 2024. Swansea Crown Court heard that Zurawska was suffering from a severe episode of paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident.
Neighbours raised the alarm after hearing screams and forced entry into the property, where they found Zurawska standing beside Alexander, holding a saw and staring blankly. The boy was found in a pool of blood with a severe neck injury. Paramedics attempted to save him, but he was pronounced dead at 9.45pm.
Speaking after the case, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Davies of South Wales Police described the incident as “tragic and deeply distressing”, adding that it had “a profound effect on the whole community in Gendros”.
Zurawska was arrested at the scene and told police: “I’ve killed my kid with cancer. He almost got through it. I can’t believe it.” Alexander had previously undergone chemotherapy for a brain tumour, which had left him with long-term health complications.
The court was told that Zurawska had been hearing voices since the previous month, which she believed were commanding her to harm both her father and her son. Earlier on the day of the killing, she had threatened her father, Krzysztof Siwi, with a blade, causing him to flee the house. He made several return visits out of concern but did not contact police.
In a victim statement read in court, Mr Siwi said: “August 29 was the day I lost two beloved people. I was shocked. I never thought a loving mother would cause harm to her child. I love my daughter and I do not blame her for what happened. I believe on that day she was unaware of what she was doing.”
Zurawska pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and was convicted of three assaults, including the attack on her father. Three psychiatrists unanimously agreed she was suffering from a severe mental illness at the time of the killing and that it would not have occurred otherwise.
Judge Paul Thomas KC accepted their assessment, stating: “You are not a wicked mother. Far from it. You are a lady whose mental state deteriorated under the overwhelming weight of care and concern for Alexander.”
He added: “Alexander’s all too brief life was one he bravely battled against medical issues. It was a life filled with love received and given.”
Zurawska was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order, with Judge Thomas noting that she may never be deemed fit for release.
Support is available for anyone affected by mental health crises. The Samaritans offer a free 24/7 helpline at 116 123 or can be contacted via email at [email protected].
