Man killed wife in Dublin apartment while in state of cannabis-induced psychosis, court hears

A man who killed and decapitated his wife in their Dublin apartment was suffering from a cannabis-induced psychosis, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Two consultant psychiatrists today detailed how the psychosis led Diego Costa Silva, originally from Brazil, to believe that his wife, Fabiole Camara De Campos, was possessed by a serpent and was going to kill him. Costa Silva later removed her head to “make sure” that the serpent was dead, the Court heard.

Both psychiatrists agreed that the psychosis was not due to acute intoxication of the drug, but a more persistent illness of cannabis-induced psychosis, with the court hearing that the accused persisted in displaying psychotic symptoms eleven days after he was arrested and detained.

Speaking before the trial, Dr Brenda Wright and Dr Mark Joynt said that cannabis-induced psychosis is classified a mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. They agreed that as a result of the disorder, Mr Costa Silva did not understand the nature and quality of his actions, and was not aware that what he was doing was wrong.

De Campos Silva, who was 32 at the time of her death, was also from Brazil but had been living in Ireland for about five years with her husband. She was found dead at her home in Charlestown Place on St Margaret’s Road, in Finglas, in the city’s north side on 4th November 2021, having suffered multiple severe knife injuries to the head and neck in the fatal assault. 

De Campos Silva, shortly before her death, had begun working as a customer support analyst at a cryptocurrency firm, while Mr Costa Silva had worked as a former professional driver. A GoFundMe, launched in the wake of her death, raised over €13,000 in a number of hours, as friends of the young woman sought to raise money to repatriate her body to her native Brazil. Her body was later repatriated that month to Sao Paulo, with her best friend who organised the crowdfunder saying the family had been left “overwhelmed” by the support. 

Daniela Loyarte, who knew De Campos Silva for twenty years, described her as “amazing,” and said she was “a blessed girl and so devoted to God.”

“Fabiole was very loved by all her knew her,” Loyarte said, adding: “A very sensible person, fearing God, honest, a good listener, and [she] would do anything for anyone.”

“Fabiole was an amazing woman – strong, very dedicated, passionate, and the best sister friend I had,” adding that the Brazilian native was “a special friend, special sister, and special daughter.” At the time of her death, Fabiole wanted to save money to buy a house in the future and build a family.

Her family and friends in Sao Paulo said at the time that they were “immensely grateful” for support as they asked “that everyone continue to pray for our dearly and eternal friend’s soul.”

Counsel for Costa Silva’s defence delivered their closing remarks to the jury on Thursday, arguing that the evidence shows that due to a mental disorder, the 35-year-old is not responsible for his actions, and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Dr Wright detailed how cannabis-induced psychosis involves hallucinations, delusions and abnormal thought processes. While Costa Silva understood his actions would result in the death of his wife, the psychiatrist said that he believed his wife was possessed, had become a serpent, and therefore was a threat to his life. According to Dr Joynt, the accused believed that his parents were being held by a gang and that his wife was possessed by the leader of the gang, taking the form of a serpent.

After he killed his wife, Mr Costa Silva believed “the serpent wasn’t dead and he had to cut the head off to make sure it was dead.”

The accused has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Fabiole Camara De Campos. Psychiatrist Dr Mark Joynt told the court that two days before the killing, Costa Silva had been brought to the Mater hospital by gardaí who had a concern for his mental health. While doctors at the Dublin hospital requested that Costa Silva remain as a voluntary patient, he refused, and left the hospital on 3rd November, one day before killing his wife.

THOUGHT DISORDER, PSYCHOSIS AND PARANOIA

The court heard that notes from doctors at the time suggested Mr Costa Silva had symptoms of psychosis, including thought disorder, psychosis, and a paranoid belief that his wife would harm him. Meanwhile, Ms De Campos Silva was reported to have told medics that she had noticed a “sudden” change in her husband’s behaviour the Saturday beforehand, but said he had not smoked cannabis for a number of days.

While interviewed by one of the psychiatrists, Costa Silva said he had started smoking cannabis, or weed, aged 16. At age 20, he said he would smoke daily. He said that his wife had complained in 202 that he was smoking too much cannabis, and he had agreed to cut it down, adding that he did not think he had smoked the drug in the days immediately before killing his wife.

According to Dr Wright, Costa Silva was also hearing voices and other auditory hallucinations.

While Mr Costa Silva showed psychotic symptoms eleven days after the killing, two days later, after he had been on the antipsychotic drug Olanzapine for five days, he was reported to be improving and to have gained an insight into his illness and what he had done.

Dr Brenda Wright told the court that while she agreed with the majority of conclusions made by Dr Joynt, there was a significant distinction in her belief that the accused could have refrained from his actions by avoiding his wife, as he had done before when in a state of delusion.

The prosecution said it had proven beyond reasonable belief that the 35-year-old had killed his wife and that when he cut her head off, it was his intention to kill her. The jury were asked to consider the evidence of both psychiatrists who agreed Costa Silva was suffering from a mental disorder.

While it is currently an offence to produce, supply, or possess cannabis in Ireland, in October, the Citizens Assembly on Drugs outlined recommendations for reform, recommending decriminalisation and removing prison sentences for simple possession.

In January, Chair of the Committee, Paul Reid called for the “immediate” implementation of the findings, saying that Ireland had a “once in a generation” chance to decriminalise drugs for personal use. 

If implemented, the recommendation could “minimise, or potentially completely remove, the possibility of criminal conviction and prison sentences for simple possession”.

People Before Profits Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Regulation) Bill is currently at Second Stage in the Dail. If passed, the legislation would amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to “enable a person who is at least 18 years of age to have possession, for the person’s personal use, of either or both cannabis and cannabis resin that in each case does not exceed a specified amount and to provide for related matters.”

Speaking before the Dail at the end of January, Sinn Fein TD Ruairí Ó Murchú was among those to raise issues, stating: 

“We have seen the issues in regard to psychosis and we have also seen that the State and services do not allow for dual diagnosis for mental health services so people are kept on the outside. We have no means of dealing with people when they are in disastrous circumstances. “

Back in September, Chief Medical Officer Breda Smyth said the level of cannabis use in Ireland is “of great concern,” and that one in three young people are likely to become addicted to the drug if they use it once a week.