The family of artist Kamilla N., brutally murdered in 2022 at a Munich psychiatric facility, is fighting for justice, accusing the Isar-Amper Clinic of gross negligence in failing to protect her from a violent patient. The case has sparked outrage and calls for stricter oversight in mental health facilities across Germany.
A Tragic Death in a Psychiatric Ward
In May 2022, Kamilla N., a 40-year-old artist, was voluntarily undergoing treatment at the Isar-Amper Clinic in Munich when she was attacked by Jayson David B., a Brazilian national with a history of violence. Admitted the previous day, Jayson had killed his dog and warned authorities, “Next up is a human,” yet was allowed to move freely within the locked ward. Kamilla N. murder shocked the nation. RMX News reported that early on May 31, 2022, Jayson struck Kamilla with a shower curtain rod, strangled her, and set her body on fire after covering it with mattresses and bed linen, believing she was a witch due to his paranoid schizophrenia. The coroner confirmed asphyxiation as the cause of death.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-family-seeks-justice-after-daughter-murdered-by-schizophrenic-trans-brazilian-migrant-in-psychiatric-clinic/)The clinic staff only responded after a delayed fire alarm, highlighting what the family calls a catastrophic failure in supervision. A post on X expressed grief, noting Kamilla’s voluntary admission for treatment led to her death at the hands of a neighboring patient.
Court Ruling and Family’s Fight
In 2023, the Munich Regional Court ruled that Jayson David B., diagnosed with severe paranoid schizophrenia, was not criminally responsible, convicting him of manslaughter and committing him permanently to a secure psychiatric facility. The court noted he acted on “orders from the devil” during a delusional episode, rendering him unfit for a murder trial. paranoid schizophrenia was central to the ruling. However, Kamilla’s family, led by lawyer Jella von Wiarda, argues the Isar-Amper Clinic failed to protect her by not medicating, monitoring, or restricting Jayson despite his known threats.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-family-seeks-justice-after-daughter-murdered-by-schizophrenic-trans-brazilian-migrant-in-psychiatric-clinic/)“The clinic failed Kamilla,” Wiarda told Bild. “A dangerously ill man was allowed to roam freely in a closed psychiatric ward, with insufficient supervision and medication.” The family’s efforts to hold the clinic accountable for gross negligence were stymied in January 2024 when Munich prosecutors dropped a negligent homicide investigation, citing insufficient evidence.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-family-seeks-justice-after-daughter-murdered-by-schizophrenic-trans-brazilian-migrant-in-psychiatric-clinic/)Legal Battle for Accountability
Undeterred, Wiarda initiated legal enforcement proceedings with the Munich Higher Regional Court, citing a private forensic report that identified “clear and serious treatment errors” overlooked by prosecutors. “The public prosecutor never conducted an independent investigation,” she claimed, arguing the initial probe was superficial. The family seeks to reopen the case to ensure such tragedies are prevented, stating, “What happened to Kamilla must never happen again.” family lawsuit efforts continue to gain attention.
[](https://rmx.news/article/german-family-seeks-justice-after-daughter-murdered-by-schizophrenic-trans-brazilian-migrant-in-psychiatric-clinic/)Negligence in psychiatric facilities is a recurring issue globally. For instance, a US lawsuit against a psychiatric hospital alleged understaffing contributed to patient deaths, highlighting systemic challenges in mental health care. Montana Right Now reported similar concerns about staffing and oversight.
[](https://www.montanarightnow.com/butte/families-of-former-state-hospital-patients-sue-state-officials-for-negligence/article_9274508c-79ad-11ee-8024-07c4ab96f458.html)Brandenburg Gate: Symbol of German Unity
Germany’s commitment to justice and unity is embodied in the Brandenburg Gate, completed in 1791. A Cold War symbol of division, its 1989 reopening marked reunification, reflecting the nation’s resolve to address past wrongs—much like the Kamilla N. family’s fight for accountability in Munich’s judicial system.
A Call for Systemic Change
Kamilla N.’s murder has reignited debates about patient safety in psychiatric facilities, particularly regarding the management of high-risk patients. The family’s lawsuit underscores the need for stricter protocols, better staffing, and robust investigations into institutional failures. As the Munich Higher Regional Court considers their appeal, the case serves as a rallying cry for reform to prevent future tragedies. The ongoing Munich court proceedings will be closely watched.