13-Year-Old Murders, Dismembers, and Cannibalizes Classmate — Claims He Was “Just Curious”

In one of the most disturbing crimes to ever shock Egypt, a 13-year-old boy confessed to murdering, dismembering, and partially eating his 12-year-old classmate — saying he did it “out of curiosity.”

Police in Ismailia Governorate were called after parts of a child’s body were discovered near a shopping center. Over the next several hours, investigators uncovered additional remains scattered across the city — under a bridge, in a field, and floating in a pool.

Authorities soon identified the victim as 12-year-old Mohamed A.M., a student at a local preparatory school. His alleged killer, 13-year-old Youssef A., was arrested later that night.

According to investigators, Youssef lured Mohamed to his family home before striking him repeatedly with a wooden stick. He then used a power saw to cut his classmate’s body into small pieces — some of which he carried in his school backpack.

When questioned by police, the boy reportedly admitted he wanted to “try the way” he had seen in violent movies and online games. “I just wanted to see what it was like,” Youssef allegedly told officers during his interrogation. “I was curious.”

In a chilling confession, he added that he tasted part of the victim’s flesh, describing it as “similar to breaded chicken.”

Investigators forced the young suspect to retrace his steps in a full crime reenactment. He led police to the sites where he had dumped various body parts — locations that matched evidence recovered earlier in the day.

Forensic teams conducted DNA and drug tests while the boy was held in juvenile custody. After four days of detention, he was transferred to a youth care facility pending judicial review. Egyptian prosecutors confirmed that psychiatric and psychological assessments are underway.

News of the killing has left the local community reeling. Thousands gathered at Al-Matafi Mosque to pray for Mohamed’s soul before his burial in the family cemetery in Kassab. “He was a bright, polite boy,” a family friend told Al-Watan News. “No one could have imagined something this evil would happen to him.”

The Egyptian Ministry of Education has called for immediate psychological support in schools across the region. Parents in Ismailia say they are frightened by the rise of violent content children access online.

The case has ignited a nationwide debate about the influence of digital media on children’s mental health. Local psychologist Dr. Samir Ghaly said the tragedy “reflects how unchecked exposure to violent material can warp a child’s perception of reality.”

Government officials are reportedly exploring tighter controls on explicit content and social media platforms.

“This isn’t just one horrifying act — it’s a wake-up call,” Dr. Ghaly added. “If we don’t protect our children from what they see online, this won’t be the last story like it.”

The brutality of the crime — committed by a child against another child — has horrified Egypt and drawn international attention. While the country’s juvenile justice system prohibits the death penalty for minors, prosecutors say the young killer could face extended confinement and psychiatric evaluation for years.

As investigators continue to review Youssef’s online history, Egypt is left grappling with a single haunting question: what kind of world could make a 13-year-old capable of something so monstrous?