The 57-year-old porter was at the doors of a 1,200-seat auditorium at Warsaw University, locking up during her early evening shift when she was brutally attacked and lost her life
A woman working as a porter at a university was simply locking the doors to its 1,200-seat auditorium when an axe-wielding student pounced and brutally decapitated her.
The horrific incident at the Warsaw University in Poland saw dozens of police storm the campus last night as the 22-year-old suspect was caught. He had reportedly “scattered” the 57-year-old woman’s body parts, which had been hacked off in the brutal attack, around the grounds and university buildings. He is also accused of attacking a 39-year-old security guard who was left in a critical condition and remains in hospital following the near-fatal assault.
The attack took place at around 6.45pm local time (about 5.45pm BST) at the Auditorium Maximum, a significant building within the Faculty of Law and Administration which can hold hundreds of students. The woman was making her final rounds, making sure all doors were locked when she was spotted by the attacker.
It is said the security guard heard the brutal attack on the woman and attempted to intervene before he was also badly hurt.Local media reports suggest a severed head was recovered from the scene.
One eyewitness, a student named Filip, said: “I was in shock; I never expected to witness something like this. We passed by the porter regularly, and it’s terrifying to think the attacker could be someone from our own cohort.”
Another student said: “The perpetrator seemed insane, he was delirious, he said shocking things about what he wanted to do to this woman.”
And a law student named Gabriela added: “It’s terrifying that we could have passed the perpetrator in the hallway and gone to classes together.”
Warsaw Police said: “Police have detained a man who entered the University of Warsaw campus. One person died, another was taken to hospital with injuries.”
University of Warsaw confirmed an employee was killed following the rampage. In a statement, it said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, today in the afternoon the University of Warsaw Community was struck by a huge tragedy. Our colleague, a UW employee, was brutally murdered.
“The perpetrator was arrested. We express our great sorrow and sympathy to the family and loved ones. A university guard was also seriously injured. Due to the current situation, I am declaring tomorrow, May 8, 2025, a day of mourning at the University of Warsaw.
“On behalf of the entire University of Warsaw community. Rector and College of Rectors of the University of Warsaw.”
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski expressed his shock at what he described as a “macabre crime” on the campus. “This brutal attack must be severely punished,” he said. The university had been due to host its annual music festival Juwenalia on Friday and Saturday. It has since been cancelled.
According to the Warsaw prosecutor’s office the murder was captured on CCTV cameras inside the university building.