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A memorial service was held on Thursday evening for the children who were found dead in a home in Södertälje.
The father of the boy and girl is arrested on suspicion of murder.
– We are trying to get through this together, says the principal at the children’s school.
Two stuffed animals have been placed at the front of the church hall in All Saints Church. One pink and one blue.
During Thursday evening, around 30 people gathered to mourn the boy and girl who were found dead in a home in Södertälje earlier this week.
– Everyone is appalled by what happened. It’s terrible, says Katarina Montenius, who is the principal at the children’s school.
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fullscreen At the front of the church there were stuffed animals. Photo: Magnus Wennman
Tears during the memorial service
Next to the sea of light and flowers in the hall sits a man in a black suit. He plays a piano.
Men, women and children listen to the echoing music.
Along the blue pews, several women are sitting and crying. One of them wipes his tears with a handkerchief.
It was during Tuesday that the boy and the girl were found dead. This after their mother alerted neighbors about what happened in the home, according to information to Aftonbladet.
Police arrested both the mother and father on the spot. After questioning, the mother was released and the criminal charges against her were dropped.
The father, a 35-year-old man, is still under arrest on suspicion of murder.
– These are two of our students that we meet daily at school. What has happened is incredibly sad, says principal Katarina Montenius and shakes her head.
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full screen In the church in Södertälje, the memorial service was held for the two children who were found dead on Tuesday. Photo: Magnus Wennman
Juice, cookies and drawings
A father and a boy in a blue cap get up from the pew. Hand in hand they walk up to the altar.
They each light a white candle. Then the boy goes to the back of the room – where Katarina Montenius is standing.
– See you tomorrow, he says quietly and waves to the headmaster, who is standing at the back of the room.
Many people have been affected by the deaths, says Katarina Montenius.
How do you handle the grief of the students and the parents?
– We are responsive and we offer support. We try to be safe adults for our students, she says.
Outside the hall, staff have set out yellow juice, gingerbread and oatcakes covered in chocolate.
They have also provided pens and paper. A little girl sits and draws, while her mother looks on.
Katarina Montenius is silent for a while before she says:
– We are trying to get through this together.
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full screen – Everyone is appalled by what happened. It’s terrible, says Katarina Montenius, who is the principal at the children’s school. Photo: Magnus Wennman