Mum killed disabled son, 6, by slitting his throat as neighbours heard ‘animal screams’ coming from house of horrors
A MUM has been locked up for killing her six-year-old son by slashing his throat and trying to murder her own dad on the same day.
Little Alexander Zurawski was found dead in a pool of blood at the family home in Swansea after the brutal attack by Karolina Zurawska.
The 42-year-old then slashed at her dad Krzysztof Siwi with a knife, chillingly telling him: “I’m sorry I have to kill you today.”
After she was arrested, Zurawska asked if Alexander’s dad had been told about his death.
The killer mum asked: “How do you tell him I cut my son’s head off?”
She later added: “I killed my kid with cancer. He almost got through it.”
Zurawska has now been locked up indefinitely under the Mental Health Act after pleading guilty to manslaughter and attempted murder.
Swansea Crown Court was told three psychiatrists concluded that she was suffering from a psychotic illness, paranoid schizophrenia, at the time of the horror.
The horror unfolded on August 29 last year after the mum flew into a “demonic rage”.
Emergency crews were scrambled to the home after neighbours heard “animal screams” compared to a fox and cat fighting.
They discovered Alexander dead inside and Zurawska kneeling by his body with a handsaw at her side.
A pathologist found the injury to Alexander’s neck was “caused by an irregular sharp force injury consistent with a sharp-toothed blade.”
Prosecutor Michael Jones KC said: “It is the prosecution’s case that Alexander was alive when the defendant first started to cut his neck with that handsaw.”
The court was told CCTV at the home had captured the youngster screaming “at the beginning of and during his killing”.
Alexander had previously been diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent surgery and chemotherapy but was due to return to his primary school after the summer holiday.
He suffered complications from the op – including a loss of much of his sight and had to walk with a cane.
Zurawska had attempted to slash her father with a knife on three occasions but he was able to disarm her and defend himself.
He said he did not call police because he “never thought” she would attack her “beloved son.”
In a victim impact statement, he added: “I was able to defend myself against Karolina’s attacks but I was unable to defend Alexander because I never thought that a loving mother would cause harm to her beloved child.
“After Karolina had assaulted me I was unable to think logically and rationally.
“If I had called the police at that time this tragedy may never have happened and I blame myself a lot and have to carry this burden for the rest of my life.”
Judge Paul Thomas KC handed Zurawska an indefinite hospital order that means she may only be released if doctor’s believe she no longer poses a threat.
Sentencing, he said: “The often overused word tragic does not begin to adequately reflect the of what happened that day.
“Those who know you and know your relationship with Alexander describe you as a devoted, loving and caring mother.
“You are not a wicked mother, far from it. You are a lady whose mental state deteriorated, I suspect under the overwhelming weight of your care and concern for Alexander to an extent you uncontrollably did something which would never have entered your mind had it not been for the severe mental illness that overwhelmed you at that time.”
Following his tragic death, Alexander’s family described him as “a very kind child” in a poignant tribute.
They said: “He loved playing with his little sister and playing with his dog, Daisy.
“Alexander was always well-behaved and never naughty. He was very clever and very mature for his age. He had great understanding of facts.
“Alexander was always helpful, always eager to assist with cooking and cleaning.
“Alexander spoke both English and Polish and would often correct his parents with their English if they got words wrong. He was amazing.”
Bethan Peterson, headteacher of Whitestone Primary School, added: “We’re devastated to learn of the tragic death of Alexander.
“Alexander was a delightful, determined little boy whose tenacity and positive demeanour ensured his success in all he undertook.
“He was an extremely loved and popular boy amongst his peers, staff and with all who knew him. He will be sadly missed.
“Appropriate support will be made available to children, staff and all those within our school community who are affected.”