Following a dispute over a meal order, a woman took a shocking turn of events by decapitating her mother and later revealing a disturbing warning to fellow inmates. The incident occurred on July 20, 2019, when Jessica Camilleri engaged in an argument with her mother, Rita Camilleri, after Rita ordered chicken for dinner but Jessica insisted on a second meal due to still feeling hungry.
The conflict escalated as Rita, aged 57 and a full-time carer, entered Jessica’s room to take away her phone. It was noted that prior to this, Rita had confiscated Jessica’s phone as she had been making excessive calls to a local butcher’s owner and even made threats towards the staff.
In a gruesome turn of events, Jessica recounted to forensic psychiatrist Professor David Greenberg that the altercation led to her grabbing a knife in an attempt to scare her mother. However, in a fit of agitation, she resorted to stabbing her mother repeatedly, inspired by violent movies like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Jeepers Creepers,” and “Saw.” She expressed her belief that decapitating her mother might alleviate her suffering.
Despite the horrific nature of her crime, Jessica Camilleri, now 31, continues to exhibit a lack of remorse in prison, where she has reportedly threatened fellow inmates by boasting about her actions and warning of similar fates for those who upset her. Recent incidents in May 2025, where she assaulted prison officers, have led to further legal consequences for her.
Scheduled for sentencing on February 17, Jessica faces charges for assaulting a fellow inmate and two counts of assaulting prison officers. Despite being initially charged with manslaughter in 2020 due to mental health disorders, her sentence was later reduced on appeal to 16 years and six months, with parole eligibility in July 2031. However, her recent violent behavior suggests the possibility of an extended prison term following the upcoming hearing.
The gory details of the crime, including the removal of her mother’s eyes and tongue, highlight the gruesome nature of Jessica’s actions. Even in her call to emergency services, she described the violent episode and asked if her mother could be revived after decapitation, showcasing a disturbing detachment from the reality of her crime.