A man in his 40s is charged with double murder in Södertälje. His two children, a boy and a girl under the age of ten, were found dead in a home in Södertälje in April earlier this year.
– This is a deeply tragic event for those involved. My assessment is that the state of evidence is very good and is based on a comprehensive and robust investigation of the crime, says District Attorney Ulrika Rosén in a press release.
In the preliminary investigation, it has emerged that the defendant suffocated the children with the help of the gas helium. The father has admitted the acts and has previously been detained on probable cause on suspicion of the double murder.
Was seriously injured
The father was in the home when the police arrived and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He has undergone a psychiatric examination and the prosecutor in the case has previously stated that “mental illness exists”.
The mother was also arrested and was initially also a suspect. However, she was released shortly thereafter and is not suspected of a crime.
“Great despair”
The incident caused great shock and concern in Södertälje. Two days after the double murder, over 100 people gathered at the memorial service in the church.
– It’s not just sadness, it’s great despair and you ask yourself why something like this can happen? And there is no answer to that question, said Minna Johansson, deacon in Östertälje parish to TV4 Nyheterna then.
The main hearing against the father begins on November 18.