A teenager fatally stabbed a neighbour after witnessing the man attack his mother at their home in Hertfordshire, a double inquest has heard. James Killen, 18, was preparing for school on 30 April when he heard his mother Sandra Crawford, 53, scream.
He found Ms Crawford being stabbed by next-door neighbour Jonathan London, 47. Mr Killen punched Mr London and then grabbed a knife, stabbing him 16 times. Mr London died at the scene from a punctured lung, while Ms Crawford died in hospital eight days later from chest and neck injuries.
In the months before the incident, Mr London had complained of hearing voices. On 29 April, he was taken to hospital by his family. Psychiatric nurse Jocelyn Cusack described him as delusional, saying it was one of the worst cases she had seen in 20 years. Psychiatrist Dr Seshni Moodliar assessed him and felt he did not pose a threat to himself or others.
A mental health team was scheduled to visit Mr London at home at 11:30 BST on 30 April, but at 08:30 BST he left his house and attacked Ms Crawford. Police officer Claire Moy said Mr Killen was 'shaking uncontrollably' and repeatedly asked about his mother, recounting that he saw a man punching her and screaming 'die, die'.
Mr Killen was arrested but no charges were brought against him. Coroner Edward Thomas expressed sympathy to both families and gave a narrative verdict that Sandra Crawford died from stab wounds inflicted by a person suffering a severe mental illness. He noted there was no previous psychiatric history and understood why home treatment was deemed appropriate.
