Nicola Cross, 37, was murdered in her home in September 2015. Marcin Porczynski, a stranger to her, stabbed her in her own home during a horrific night.
Cross is the ex-wife of Daniel, aka Dan Cross, an IT specialist and the founder of the bereavement support charity StrongMen.
Defenceless Nicola Cross was stabbed ten times by complete stranger Marcin Porczynski as she bravely tried to stop him from abducting her six-year-old son and daughter aged three.
Her husband Daniel, who was away travelling, was forced to listen to her terrified screams after Nicola rang him in a panic.
He heard as his wife pleaded with the killer – before she was knifed repeatedly in a frenzy in front of her children.
In a statement, Daniel paid tribute to his wife who he spent 11 years with and said they had an almost “sickeningly perfect” life that was now destroyed.
He said: “That phone call plays over and over in my head along with Nik’s screams and her pleading for her life.
“I will never forgive myself for not being there to protect her.”
Who is Marcin porczynski?
Porczynski was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, a mental condition in which people interpret reality abnormally. Due to the state, he suffered frequent hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. Nevertheless, the symptoms of the disease can vary dramatically from person to person.
Three weeks before stabbing Nicola, Marcin had already exhibited unusual behavior. He had been discussing some made-up occurrences with his friends quite a bit.
After killing Nicola, Porczynski believed that he had saved the children who he thought were starving.
Upon his arrest, traces of cocaine and cannabis were found in Marcin’s blood. However, it bore no relation to the attack.
Marcin Porczynski Charged With Killing Nicola Cross
On the night of Nicola Cross’ death, police detained then released Marcin Porczynski after reports a man had tried to enter her house.
Paranoid schizophrenic Porczynski later returned to the Hemel Hempstead home of Mrs Cross, 37, and stabbed her in 2015.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission found officers “followed applicable policies and guidelines”.
Mrs Cross was stabbed on 14 September 2015 after Porczynski believed he had to kill her or his family in Poland would be killed.
Nicola Cross died after being critically wounded, while Porczynski did not physically harm her children.
During the attack, Dan Cross was away from his home for business purposes.
Nicola had called Dan after Porczynski smashed his way into the house in a psychotic state. Following this, Dan was able to hear some part of the horrific incident. He listened helplessly to the call as Nicola pleaded with the killer. A few minutes later, the telephone line fell silent.
Porczynski admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility in December 2016 and was sentenced to an indefinite spell at a psychiatric unit.
The murderer claimed to have heard voices telling him to “rescue” the abused youngsters. In the end, it became clear that Porczynski had a disorder known as “schizophrenia.”
Where Is Marcin Porczynski Now?
Bright said: ‘Although Nicola tried to reason with you and heroically did her best to protect herself and her two young kids from you, she was completely defenceless against the vicious knife attack you then launched upon her.’
Meanwhile, the life of Dan Cross and his two children shattered after Nicola’s death. He said in a statement that he had been married to his wife for 11 years and that their almost “sickeningly beautiful” life had been ruined.
Dan Cross detailed his horror in 2018 on SAS: Who Dares Wins on Channel 4. He is currently undergoing training with Victim Support to serve as a peer supporter for other families dealing with comparable circumstances.
