SON STABBED HIS MOTHER 100 TIMES DURING PSYCHOTIC EPISODE IN PENWITHICK
A man responsible for killing his mother by stabbing her 100 times during a psychotic episode has received a court sentence.Michael Rowe carried out the brutal assault on the porch of his mother’s residence in the quiet village of Penwithick.
His mother was discovered lying in a pool of blood by her partner and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident occurred after Rowe was discharged from hospital, where he had exhibited dangerous behavior and racially abusive conduct toward staff.
Prior to the attack, he purchased a knife from Wilko in St Austell and then proceeded to his mother’s house to carry out the assault.
Although he denied murder charges, Rowe admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
During proceedings at Truro Crown Court on Thursday, 23 November, the judge ordered that he be detained in a psychiatric facility until deemed fit for release by the Ministry of Justice.
It was revealed in court that Rowe had experienced psychotic episodes since age 16 and had attempted to self-medicate using illegal substances such as MDMA, magic mushrooms, cannabis, and cocaine.
The court also heard that his mother, 61-year-old Ms Rosario, consistently supported him and sought psychological help for him, even on the day she was killed.
Despite her efforts, Rowe was described as having a propensity for violence toward his family and had previously been detained under the Mental Health Act multiple times.
Prosecutor Joanna Martin KC stated that Bernadette was torn between her own safety and her love for her son, yet she continued to support him and aided in efforts to address his drug use and mental health needs.
She also paid off his drug debts.
Court testimony indicated that Rowe’s mental state was deteriorating at the start of 2023, with increasing paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations—believing he had holes in his head and falsely claiming his sister had been murdered.
Just five days prior to the killing, Rowe had visited his mother’s home and attempted to punch her.
Witnesses described him as unstable, making threats to kill her and saying he would stab her heart in a “dirty, murky work.” The attack came after Rowe was released from psychiatric care at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, where he had become violent and racially abusive toward staff.
On that day, he reportedly went to the St Petrocs homeless charity but was so aggressive and concerning that staff called the police.
He then arrived at his mother’s house armed with a large knife stolen from Wilko.
As Bernadette responded to the back door, he immediately stabbed her in a frenzied attack on the porch of her home.
The court was told she sustained 60 stab wounds to her neck and head, and 40 to her hands, arms, and chest.
Her partner, Lorna Harvey, found Ms Rosario at the scene, and despite her efforts and those of paramedics, she died there.
Judge Carr emphasized that the only way to protect the public was to keep Rowe in a psychiatric unit under Sections 37-41 of the Mental Health Act until he is deemed fit for release.
The judge told Rowe, “Your release is a long way off, if it’s even reached.” Following the hearing, Detective Inspector Rob Smith expressed that the family and friends of Bernadette had endured a tragic loss and thanked them for their support.
He stated that the investigation team appreciated their dignity and confirmed that they welcomed the guilty plea and court sentence, which was based on expert medical evidence.
