Warrington teen who killed mother with hammer detained under mental health act

An 18 year old who admitted causing the death of his mother in Warrington has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

Frederico Canuzo had previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his mother, Chintzia McIntyre, 48, on the grounds of diminished responsibility, following her death at their home in Great Sankey in August 2023.

When passing sentence, a judge ruled that he should be made subject to a Hospital Order and a Restriction Order and will be detained at a secure hospital until such a time he is deemed no longer to be a risk to the community.

Police were called to Phoenix Place on Tuesday 29 August 2023 to reports of a woman being attacked outside a house. Despite ambulance crews attending the scene with police, Chintzia died at the scene from a head injury caused by a claw hammer.

The report had been made to police by her husband, who became aware of the attack after he received a notification sent to his phone from his video doorbell while he was working away.

The activations had shown Canuzo attacking Chintzia, before fleeing from the scene.

Canuzo then boarded a train heading to London Euston and was arrested by British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police as he arrived on the platform in London. The following day he was charged with murder but entered a guilty plea to manslaughter which was accepted by the prosecution based on medical evidence.

Detective Inspector Eli Atkinson, who led the investigation, said:

“This was an exceptionally traumatic incident for all those involved, especially Chintzia's family and neighbours and emergency services who tried to help her.

“While nothing can ever be done to bring Chintzia back, I do hope that the conclusion of this case will bring her family some closure.

“Our thoughts remain with Chintzia’s friends and family at this time, and we would like to thank them for their assistance throughout our investigation.”