Mentally Ill Woman, Inspired by Horror Movies, Decapitates Mom
By: Malinda Fusco
Tags: True Crime, Crime, Short Read, Murder, History

A Troubled Past

Jessica Camilleri, who was 25 at the time of her mother’s killing, had a strong history of mental illness. She had been diagnosed with autism, an intellectual disability, and intermittent explosive disorder. Her mother, Rita, was her full-time caretaker.

Furthermore, Jessica was obsessed with all things horror related. Some of her favorite movies were gory horror flicks like Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

She had a history of prank calling strangers and threatening them with decapitation, and her sister testified that Jessica would often obsess over the goriest moments in horror movies, often rewinding and rewatching them multiple times.

Violence wasn’t new to Jessica. When upset, she’s reported to have often had outbursts that involved ripping out people’s hair and attacking them.

A Six Month Build-up

Six months before the homicide, Jessica stopped taking her prescribed psychiatric medications. She was hoping to find a natural alternative that would help her.

However, as the months went by, Jessica’s mental health worsened.

Her mom often claimed to be “at wit’s end” from Jessica’s prank calls on strangers, Jessica’s explosive anger episodes, and the constant demands of being a sole caretaker.

On the day of the killing, Jessica and her mother had been arguing. The conflict had led Jessica into one of her fits of anger.

The Crime

During their arguing, Jessica grabbed a kitchen knife, intending to threaten and scare her mother. She claimed that she hadn’t intended to kill her, however, she “had sick thoughts” and lost control once her mom tried to dial emergency services.

Jessica claimed that at that moment, the movies she loved and obsessed over inspired her to stab, kill, and decapitate her mom.

After the violent act, Jessica attempted to bring the decapitated head to her neighbor’s house but dropped it outside her home, where police later found it.

When police arrived, Jessica admitted to the crime but appeared unphased. Bodycam footage from the police show Jessica asking if her mom was actually dead and if they could bring her back to life.

The Trial

During the seven-day murder trial, jurors heard from the defense, prosecution, and Jessica’s own sister.

Jessica’s defense argued that because of her mental illnesses and intermediate explosive disorder, she was aware of the crime as she committed it, but was unable to stop herself.

The prosecution argued that the crime was not caused by her illnesses. Psychiatrist Dr. Richard Furst claimed that her actions were the equivalent of a child throwing a “tantrum.”

Kristy Torrisi, Jessica’s sister, testified that Jessica was obsessed with horror films and would often “pause and rewind” to rewatch the bloodiest parts. She claimed that these influenced her sister to commit the homicide.

Judge Helen Wilson admitted that it was a “difficult” trial as she addressed the jury before their final deliberation.

The Verdict

The jury came to a decision two days after deliberations began. Due to her history of mental illness and the footage they had seen from the police bodycams, they convicted her of manslaughter, not murder.

Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 17, 2021.