Updated 16.29 | Published 16.04
When the woman was found dead, her body must have shown clear signs of severe violence and her husband was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Just two months earlier, the same man was arrested for threatening to kill the woman with a pair of scissors.
In questioning, the woman then said that she planned to leave the violent husband and that she “didn’t want to be a punching bag anymore”.
On Friday, December 29, police were called to an apartment in Vingåker in Sörmland County.
A woman in her 50s was found dead there.
According to Aftonbladet’s information, it must have been clear that she was subjected to severe violence.
– I can confirm that it was so, says Chamber prosecutor My Lindholm.
The woman’s husband, a 55-year-old man who was in the apartment, was arrested and detained.
– The circumstances were such that one could believe that he had something to do with this. However, the investigation is still in its infancy, says My Lindholm.
Had been beaten before
When the woman was found dead, it was not the first time the police had been called to the same address.
In 2021, the husband was fined for hitting her.
She had then called the police herself and told them that she had been beaten. When the patrol arrived at the apartment in Vingåker, the woman told them that she and the man had only been married for two years and that it “didn’t (turn out) at all as she had imagined.”
She stated that the man had hit her on several occasions before. Once so bad that she couldn’t leave the apartment for a week because the damage was visible.
The man himself admitted that he gave her an ear file on the evening in question.
– I was so angry, he said to the patrol.
Once the investigation progressed, however, the woman no longer wanted to participate, something that is common when it comes to crimes involving a close relationship. She then told me that the husband had said sorry and that they were friends again.
“I’ll kill you next time”
On October 21, 2023, the police were again called to the apartment in Vingåker. A relative of the woman had then raised the alarm.
The relative told the police that the woman’s husband was monitoring her phone and that was why she herself did not call. In the apartment, the police patrol found the woman crying red. She said she was beaten and threatened with scissors by her husband.
– He said I’ll kill you next time. I don’t know why he will kill me next time. I haven’t done anything, the woman said in questioning.
“She also states that he was looking for a knife and a rolling pin,” reads the preliminary investigation.
In questioning the woman, she stated that she planned to leave her husband.
– I have taken out a divorce on the sly, he doesn’t know about it, she said in questioning.
– He is dangerous. It’s not exactly… I’d like a funny man. A romantic man.
Failed to appear at court
A relative of the woman said during the same investigation that the woman did not dare to tell her husband that she wanted to end the relationship. “She understood that he would be angry when he found out. He is not a Swedish citizen, he lives under the threat of deportation,” the interrogation summarizes.
The man himself then denied the crime:
– I have not threatened her or held a pair of scissors to her throat. I don’t usually fight when I get drunk. I don’t abuse women, he said in questioning.
The charge against the husband regarding assault and illegal threats was brought in November, but when the main hearing was to begin in December, the woman did not appear.
Chamber prosecutor My Lindholm, who also held that case, says that the trial began even though the woman was not present. When she also did not appear the following week, the husband was released from custody as the court did not consider it justified to keep him in custody indefinitely.
A few weeks later, on December 29, the woman was then found dead.
“I’m not going to be murdered”
My Lindholm says that the whole thing is tragic, but that the police and social services did everything in their power to motivate the woman to participate both in the investigation and during the trial.
– The Katrineholm police stationed two investigators to physically look for the woman during the trial, but despite all attempts, it failed. It is forces that we cannot always understand, that one still makes the choice to remain in the violent relationship. We cannot force any claimant to participate, we can do everything we can to motivate them to do so and we try, but we cannot do more than that, says Lindholm.
In an interview with the woman, just a few months before her death, she said that she sometimes thought she had herself to blame. But that she has come to the conclusion that she wants to live.
– I don’t intend to be murdered.
On January 26, the indictment regarding the murder of the woman will be brought, but it will probably require a longer investigation period than that.
The man suspected of murder denies any crime.
– My client has given a clear statement to the police, and he is also keen for the police to investigate the death to prove his innocence, says lawyer Jonathan Cantillana.
FACT Woman: Here you can get help and support
Are you or someone close to you exposed to violence in a close relationship? Here is a selection of places you can turn to for help and support.
Important: Always call 112 in case of emergency. You can also reach the social service or the social emergency service in your municipality via the emergency number.
A national helpline for those who have been exposed to physical, psychological and sexual violence, regardless of gender. Relatives and friends are also welcome to call.
Offers temporary sheltered housing for people who have been victims of intimate partner violence and honour-related violence. Accepts women, men, their children and accompanying animals with placement via social services.
The national organization for women’s shelters and girls’ shelters in Sweden collects shelters throughout Sweden, some of which offer sheltered accommodation. Find an on-call nearest you via Rok’s website. Click on “find the right support”.
Collects over 130 women’s shelters, girls’ shelters and other support activities. On the website there are contact details for emergency services throughout Sweden, some of which offer sheltered accommodation. Click on “find on duty”.
Network for women’s rights against men’s violence. Emergency phone: 020-52 10 10. Advice in 70 different languages, including legal advice.
Provides support to criminal suspects, witnesses and relatives.
A women’s shelter for abused women with experiences of abuse and prostitution.
Support for LGBTQI people who have been exposed to abuse, threats and violence. RFSL support reception also runs a sheltered accommodation in the Stockholm area.
If you want to talk to someone who works at social services, you can call the switchboard in your municipality and ask to be connected to social services.
All children can get help via Bris, Children’s rights in society.
Can help with emergency call and crisis support: Call 112 and ask to be connected to the priest on duty.
A support platform for young people (15–20 year olds) who are exposed to violence in their partner relationships, offers chat every evening at 8–10 pm.
Choose to stop is a national telephone line for those who want help to change controlling or violent behaviour. The telephone line is run by the Stockholm County Administrative Board in collaboration with Manscentrum Stockholm and in collaboration with Sweden’s county administrative boards.
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