Peter Sjölund age – how old is he?
Peter Sjölund was born on March 26, 1966, which means he will be 59 years old in 2025.
What is Peter Sjölund’s education?
During the 1990s, Peter Sjölund studied biology and chemistry at Umeå University. Later, he also studied at IHM Business school and Bergh’s school of communication, according to his LinkedIn.
Peter Sjölund. Photo: Mats Andersson/TTÄ Is Peter Sjölund a DNA genealogist?
Yes, Peter Sjölund is a DNA genealogist, also called a genealogist.
“I am the DNA genealogist who has gotten tens of thousands of people in Sweden and the Nordic countries to DNA test themselves, to explore their family and their origins. I am passionate about making the complicated DNA technology available in a simple way to everyone and sharing of my knowledge via lectures, books and courses,” writes Sjölund on his own website.
How did Peter Sjölund solve the double murder in Linköping?
Yes, Peter Sjölund was called into the investigation of the double murder in Linköping which occurred in 2004 and which remained unsolved for 16 years. The DNA that the perpetrator left behind in connection with the murder scene could be submitted to a genealogy database.
In front of prosecutors, police and people from the forensic medicine agency as well as the national forensic center, Sjölund opened up the results in the “Gripen” conference room at the police station in Linköping. IN News24– the podcast “24 Questions” Sjölund has told about the whole thing:
– I logged into this database and had no idea what to expect. I had quite low expectations and thought: “probably there will be quite bad matches”. Then I press the “Matches” button and a lot of names and numbers roll up on the screen. I can tell that no one in the room was breathing. It was dead quiet. Finally someone said: “Is it good or bad?”. I said: “Beyond expectation. The top ten on the list may probably be related to the perpetrator in the 18th century”.
READ MORE: The double murder in Linköping: They fell victim to Daniel Nyqvist
This was followed by what Sjölund describes as “genealogy on steroids” – completely in secret and completely without help from anyone else. Finally, he began to find kinship between different families.
– When you start to find these connections a couple of hundred years back, then you are on the right track. Then I will find him. It’s just a matter of time.
After surveying hundreds of people and their relationships over a period of five weeks, Sjölund sat with a result in front of him.
– Two sons in one family. One of them is the killer. I solved it. It was a very strange feeling.
Later, with new DNA tests, the police were able to establish that Daniel Nyqvist was the killer. He also confessed to the double murder already during the initial interrogation.
DON’T MISS: This is how Daniel Nyqvist lives today – after the double murder in Linköping
Daniel Nyqvist. Photo: Police/TT
READ MORE: This is how Daniel Nyqvist was described by family and friends: “Happy guy”
Who plays genealogist Peter Sjölund in “The Breakthrough” on Netflix?
In January 2025, the Netflix series “The Breakthrough” premieres, and in it the investigation of the double murder in Linköping is depicted. The genealogist in the drama series is played by Mattias Nordkvistwhich could previously be seen in, for example, “Our time is now”.
READ MORE: Everything about Mattias Nordkvist: Partner, children and the Netflix series
Mattias Nordkvist. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
DON’T MISS: The cast of “The Breakthrough” on Netflix: Actors in the series
Peter Sjölund’s books – what has he written?
The Netflix series “The breakthrough” is based on the book by Peter Sjölund, together with the journalist Anna Bodinwrote and released in 2022. It is called “The breakthrough: How the genealogist solved the double murder in Linköping”.
In addition, Peter Sjölund has written, among other things, “Alla er vi Walloons” and “The Swedes and their fathers – the last 11,000 years”.
Peter Sjölund with the book “The Breakthrough”. Photo: Amir Nabizadeh/TTDoes Peter Sjölund live in Härnösand?
Yes, Peter Sjölund lives just outside Härnösand in Västernorrland.
– We live on an old farm outside Härnösand. People have lived here since at least 1535. The large wooden house of 300 square meters dates from 1799. Two halls sit together in a row and through the slatted windows there is a view of the water, he has told Live & Live previous.
– When the farm was put up for sale in 2008, we felt it was a perfect place for us. I like history and the children had school friends in the neighboring villages, he then continued.
Does Peter Sjölund have a wife?
Yes, Peter Sjölund is married. His wife’s name is Annalena.
Does Peter Sjölund have children?
Peter Sjölund has two children: the daughter Hilma and the son Johan.
Does Peter Sjölund have Instagram?
Yes, on Instagram, Peter Sjölund is @peter.sjolund.
READ MORE: News today – current news from Sweden and the world
DON’T MISS: Latest news – take part in what’s happening right now