During October, several cases were reported involving children who killed or attempted to kill their parents. The most recent incidents occurred in Portugal and Germany, with new developments also emerging in Spain regarding the death of the Mango owner.
In Portugal, the number of parents assaulted by their children who sought help has increased by 27% over the past three years, with over 2,800 cases—an average of 2.6 cases per day.
The victim profile shows that the majority of cases (79.7%) involve women aged 65 or older (58.3%), while men are the majority (69%) among the perpetrators, aged between 18 and 64 years (62.8%).
Among the 5,654 crimes or forms of violence recorded for these 2,813 victims, domestic violence is predominant, accounting for 82.3% of the total.
The (recent) cases in Portugal
Within three days, Portugal witnessed two cases where children are suspected of the homicide or attempted homicide of their parents.
Vagos councilor killed at home. 14-year-old son is a suspect
Susana Gravato, a councilor of the Vagos Municipal Council, was found dead at home by her husband on Tuesday, October 21, after a friend she was on the phone with raised the alarm that something had happened.
Upon arriving home, the husband found Susana lying down, covered with a blanket, and in cardiopulmonary arrest, prompting him to call emergency services. Initial reports suggested that the councilor may have been a victim of robbery.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) later revealed in a statement that the minor son, aged 14, is suspected of qualified homicide and has been identified by authorities. He will be presented for the first judicial interrogation to the competent judicial authorities in Aveiro.
Susana Gravato died on Tuesday afternoon after being attacked at home. PJ reveals that the Vagos councilor was killed with a firearm belonging to her husband. The main suspect is her 14-year-old son.
José Manuel Anes stabbed at home. Daughter is a suspect and has been detained
José Manuel Anes, former president of the Observatory for Security, Organized Crime, and Terrorism (OSCOT), was stabbed on the afternoon of Monday, October 20, at his residence. His daughter, Ana Rawson, is the main suspect in the attempted homicide and has been detained by the PJ.
On the day of the attempted homicide, Ana Rawson, 40, made several social media posts referring to her father.
“I think I left my father José Anes without eyes, but you will hear that he died peacefully. Mossad knows how to clean scenes (don’t forget the top denture that flew). I’ll take photos of the bottom part. The animal was tough, but he said interesting things about Camarate.”
José Manuel Anes was stabbed on Monday at his residence and was subsequently taken to the hospital. The daughter, Ana Rawson, who is the main suspect in the attack and is already “in custody,” made several social media posts after the incident.
And abroad?
German mayor stabbed. 17-year-old daughter believed to be the attacker
The newly elected mayor of Herdecke, Iris Stalzer, 57, was stabbed at her doorstep on October 7.
The woman was found severely injured by her adopted children in her apartment, where she managed to take refuge after the attack, suffering multiple knife wounds to her abdomen and back, reported Bild newspaper. Initially, it was believed she had been attacked by several men.
The day after the attack, German authorities detained the 17-year-old daughter and the 15-year-old son, having found two knives and blood-stained clothing at the house. Subsequently, during police questioning, the mayor identified the daughter as the perpetrator.
The newly elected mayor of the German city of Herdecke, Iris Stalzer, was attacked with a knife by her teenage daughter, local authorities said today, adding that the victim is out of danger.
Mango owner’s cliff fall in December now suspected homicide
The case of Isak Andic, founder of Mango, dates back to December 2024, when the businessman fell 150 meters while hiking in a mountainous area in Barcelona. Almost a year later, Andic’s death has taken a new turn, with suspicions that his son might have killed him.
At the end of last week, it was made public that the Mossos d’Esquadra have been investigating the incident as a possible homicide after the case was reopened due to inconsistencies in Jonathan Andic’s—Isak’s son—testimony.
It should be noted that Jonathan was with his father at the moment when the 71-year-old businessman lost his life.
The case of the Mango founder’s death was closed in January 2025. However, Catalan authorities have continued to investigate after detecting inconsistencies in Jonathan Andic’s testimony. Isak Andic’s partner also revealed that the two did not have a good relationship.
Other (older) cases
There are other cases of children who killed their parents that became ‘famous’ and heavily covered by international and national media.
Lyle and Erik Menendez
For instance, the case of brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, who in 1989, murdered their parents at home in Beverly Hills, USA.
The case gained worldwide notoriety after a film and a Netflix documentary in 2024. Some celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, who visited them in prison, came forward in defense of the accused.
The two brothers were accused and convicted of the murder of their parents in 1989 in Los Angeles. Their story resulted in a documentary.
Suzane von Richthofen
On October 31, 2002, Suzane von Richthofen, then 16, granted access to her home to the Cravinhos brothers (Daniel and Christian), who murdered her parents as they slept.
The case occurred in São Paulo, Brazil, and became one of the most high-profile in the country. Suzane von Richthofen and the Cravinhos brothers were imprisoned.
Suzane and Daniel were sentenced to 39 years in prison, while Christian Cravinhos received a 38-year sentence.
