Diogo Bettencourt
15 Dec 2025
Murder *
Sentence
life imprisonment with a minimum term of 11 years and 237 days
Diogo Bettencourt, 37, originally from Canada, murdered his 43-year-old neighbour, the victim, at their shared HMO in Doidge Road, Erdington, Birmingham, sometime between 10.30pm on November 8, 2023, and 2.30am on November 9, 2023. He beat, stabbed, and strangled the victim, inflicting over 60 external injuries, including a stab wound to the face and throat; cause of death likely strangulation. Bettencourt concealed the body in a sleeping bag and attempted to use the victim's bank card eight times, withdrawing £100 on November 10, 2023. The attack may have been motivated by anger over the victim not intervening in Bettencourt's stabbing on November 3, 2023, or financial gain, though not confirmed. Signs of his undiagnosed schizophrenia emerged in May 2023 (jumping from roof) and worsened in August-September 2023. He was arrested after the landlady discovered the body on November 10, 2023.
Found guilty of murder. Sentenced by Judge Paul Farrer KC, who noted substantial mitigation due to undiagnosed schizophrenia, paranoia, and delusions impairing judgement, but conditions did not absolve him. Had previous non-violent convictions for drug-trafficking in Canada. Currently at Tamarind Centre mental hospital with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.