Schizophrenic mother who killed her disabled six-year-old son with a saw after hearing 'demonic voices' is locked up
A schizophrenic mother who killed her son with a handsaw after hearing 'demonic voices' has been handed an indefinite hospital order.
Alexander Zurawski, six, died of horrific injuries at the family home in Swansea on August 29 last year.
His mother, Karolina Zurawska, 42, was found next to Alexander's lifeless body with a handsaw at her side.
A court heard how she had previously been the 'best mother' to her son, who was recovering from a brain tumour which left him partially sighted and requiring a cane to walk.
Today a judge said he had concluded Zurawska's 'mental state' had deteriorated under the 'overwhelming weight of your care and concern for Alexander', causing her to act 'uncontrollably'.
Imposing an indefinite hospital order at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Paul Thomas said she may never be safe to be released.
Zurawska previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility but denied murder.
She also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of her father, Krzysztof Siwi, earlier the same day.
Karolina Zurawska had been a 'good, kind and loving mother' to Alexander, six, but her mental health deteriorated under the 'overwhelming' weight of nursing him through the effects of a brain tumour, with experts agreeing she was suffering from a psychotic illness when she killed him with a handsaw
Alexander Zurawski, six, died at a home in Cwm Du Close in Gendros, Swansea on August 29 last year.
Karolina Zurawska, 42, from Swansea, was found next to Alexander's body with a handsaw at her side.
The manslaughter charge was accepted by the prosecution, with three psychiatric experts concluding Zurawska had been suffering from a psychotic illness at the time.
Saying the 'overused word tragic does not begin to adequately reflect the of what happened that day', Judge Thomas today said she had previously been regarded as a 'devoted, loving and caring mother'.
He said he suspected that her 'mental state' had deteriorated under the 'overwhelming weight of your care and concern for Alexander', causing her to 'uncontrollably' do something that would otherwise 'never have entered your mind'.
The court heard that on the same day, Zurawska carried out three knife attacks on her 67-year-old father, telling him: 'I'm sorry I have to kill you today.'
Mr Siwi - Alexander's grandfather - tried to take Alexander from the home but his daughter locked him out.
When he returned to the bungalow in Gendros, Swansea, he was overtaken by two police cars and upon arrival was told Alexander was dead.
Mr Siwi told the court he hadn't called police because 'I never thought that a loving mother would cause harm to her beloved child' and feared he would be taken into care.
He described the decision as a 'burden' he would now carry for the rest of his life.
Zurawski was suffering from a psychotic illness at the time she killed her son
Flowers, toys and tributes were left outside the house in Swansea where Karolina Zurawska killed her six-year-old son Alexander in August 2024.
After being arrested, Polish-born Zurawska asked if Alexander's dad had been told of his death.
She also said: 'I killed my kid with cancer. He almost got through it.'
Prosecutor Michael Jones KC told the court that Zurawska had called her father that day and was acting 'strange'.
Concerned for his daughter, Mr Siwi drove to the family house where she continued to act out of character, sitting on the hallway floor and speaking little.
Following a cigarette in the garden, they went back into the house, where Zurawska told her father that she needed to kill him, and tried to attack him with a knife.
Disarming Zurawska, Mr Siwi sat in his car where he spoke with another daughter in Poland.
He and his daughter were concerned that reporting Zurawska for the attack would see Alexander taken away and neither believed 'whatsoever that she would harm Alexander'.
But Zurawska came out of the house and attempted to attack her father again.
Mr Siwi tried to take Alexander with him but Zurawaska would not let him.
After driving home, Mr Siwi spoke to his daughter in Poland again, who urged him to return to Zurawska.
On the way back, he was overtaken by several police cars.
Having heard the sound of screams, neighbours had called the police and Alexander's lifeless body in the entrance hallway.
Zurawska was 'kneeling next to his body with a handsaw at her side,' Mr Jones said.
The court heard Mr Siwi did not call police because he 'never thought' his daughter would attack her 'beloved son.'
In a victim impact statement he said: '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.'
The court heard neighbours raised the alarm after hearing screams.
Swansea Crown Court heard 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 his surgery including a loss of much of his sight and being left to walk with a cane and his mother 'did everything for him.'
John Hipkin KC, defending, said: 'This is a tragic case to say the least.
'Everyone who knew Karolina Zurawska speaks of a good, kind and loving mother who nursed Alexander through his illness.'
Judge Paul Thomas KC 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.'
Speaking of Alexander, the judge said: 'His all too brief life was one of bravely battling against his severe medical issues. But it was a life filled with love both received and given.
'I know that those who knew him well will never forget him nor ever stop loving him.'
Judge Thomas remanded Zurawska indefinitely under the Mental Health Act, giving her a hospital order which means she may only be released if doctors believe she no longer poses a threat.
He added: 'That day may never come.'
In a tribute following his death, Alexander's family said he was 'very clever and very mature' and spoke both English and Polish.
Teachers at his school described him as 'very loved'.
Bethan Peterson, headteacher of Whitestone Primary School, said: '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.'
His family added that he was 'a very kind child.'
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.'
Today Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Davies, of South Wales Police, said: 'This was a tragic and deeply distressing incident which has had a profound effect on the whole community in Gendros, as well as the staff and pupils at Alexander's school.
'They will all have been devastated to hear of Alexander's death.
'The local community in Gendros were outstanding in terms of their support for our investigation at what was an extremely trying time.
'Our thoughts remain with Alexander's family and friends.'
