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full screen The friend Maria Estebanez. Photo: Andreas Bardell
The 63-year-old woman was murdered in her home in Akalla.
A memorial service was held for her today.
– We want to honor her in a nice way, says friend Maria Estebanez.
Up to a hundred people have gathered in Akalla’s elementary school, north of Stockholm, on Sunday.
A portrait has been set up in one of the halls of the school. A board with a text stands next to it.
“It is with great sadness and consternation that we say a final goodbye”.
A memorial service is being held here today to honor the 63-year-old woman who was murdered in her home in Akalla on October 22.
Her gate is visible through one of the windows.
Outside the gate is a sea of flowers and lit grave candles.
– We are all here today to remember her. She has unfortunately been taken from us far too soon, in a very brutal way. She was a character that was heard and seen and she has made a strong impression on all of us, says Maria Estebanez.
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full screen Outside the woman’s home, people have left flowers and lit candles. Photo: Andreas Bardell
She has known the woman for many years – just like many of the others gathered here today.
Children, young people and adults of all ages sit here. A mic is passed around and one by one the woman’s friends tell who she was, and how they remember her.
– We often talked on the phone. I spoke to her at 12 o’clock on the day she died. It is difficult to understand what has happened. I still wait for her call every day, says one woman.
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full screen Anders Österberg, Deputy Financial Citizen Council in Stockholm. Photo: Andreas Bardell
“Terribly sad”
The 63-year-old woman was a person who cared a lot about others, and put others first. Above all, she lived for her children.
She was also active within the church and in several different associations, such as the homestead association, the allotment garden association, the housing association and in the Social Democrats.
A social and driven person who knew everyone in the area.
– I met her a few weeks ago, and she was as positive and happy as ever. I think she was an incredibly nice person. She always cared about the elderly and the young. She was always committed, she was always on their side, says Anders Österberg, deputy finance councilor for the Social Democrats in Stockholm and a friend of the woman.
It is still unknown who murdered her, and why.
– I am very grateful for everyone who is here today. We will always remember her. This is so terribly sad, says Anders Österberg.
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fullscreen Held a memorial service for the woman on Sunday. Photo: Andreas Bardell
Want to honor her memory
Many of those who are here today say it is still hard to come to terms with what happened, and the way their friend was suddenly taken from them.
Maria Estebanez says she hopes the good forces in the community can win out – and that her friend will be remembered with warmth and love.
– There are so many of us who miss her. We really hope that this does not happen again, that more innocent people, their relatives, are affected by the violence. We want to show that we stand up for her and who she was, she says.