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CRIME

Plea for help in hunt for Swedish woman’s killer

Swedish police have released a picture of the 21-year-old jogger murdered on a running track almost a month ago as her mother prepares to make a television appeal.

Published: 2 September 2015 07:34 CEST
Updated: 2 September 2015 13:26 CEST
Plea for help in hunt for Swedish woman's killer
Ida Johansson, who was found dead on a running track in Upplands Väsby. Photo: Polisen

Police launched a murder probe after dog handlers found missing woman Ida Johansson, 21, dead in the early hours of August 6th in the Runby area of the Stockholm suburb of Upplands Väsby.

But after almost a month of investigation – including hauling more than 350 people to a police station to compare their DNA to traces discovered on the scene – her killer has still not been found.

“Although many interrogations have been held and many tips have been received we urge everyone who has made observations; has knowledge of anyone who behaved differently before, during or after the time of the crime; or has any other information to offer, to get in touch with the police,” said Stockholm region police press spokesperson Lars Byström in a statement.

Meanwhile, Ida's mother was set to make her first public appearance after her daughter's death on Swedish television crime show 'Nya Efterlyst' ('New Wanted'), to be broadcast at 9pm on Wednesday night on TV8.

In a heartbreaking interview quoted in advance by the Aftonbladet tabloid, she tells viewers about coping with her daughter's death, describing Ida as a happy young woman and the life and soul of the family.

She also reiterates the police's appeal for information, pleading with anyone who knows anything about what happened on the running track in Runby to come forward.


Tributes left at the running track in the Runby area of Upplands Väsby. Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad/TT

Officers hope releasing her picture will trigger the memory of potential witnesses.

“All details or identifying data may be of interest to us. It is important that the person who has seen something lets us evaluate the particular detail, we are the ones putting the pieces of the puzzle together and have the whole picture,” Byström told the TT news agency.

The murder stirred debate in Sweden about female safety while out running. Just days later thousands of people took to tracks across the Nordic country in the much-publicized 'Run with love' campaign to pay tribute to Ida – and to show defiance in the face of fear.

“Everyone I meet on the trail always asks me how I can be running alone, but I refuse to let myself be affected. It feels like we're honouring her by doing this together,” orienteering enthusiast Amanda Jonasson, 25, told Aftonbladet at the time.

POLITICS

Over a thousand people join protest against Stockholm attack

Over a thousand people joined a demonstration in Gubbängen, southern Stockholm, on Saturday, protesting Wednesday's attack by far-right extremists on a lecture organised by the Left and Green parties.

Published: 27 April 2024 15:36 CEST
Over a thousand people join protest against Stockholm attack

The demonstration, which was organised by the Left Party and the Green Party together with Expo, an anti-extremist magazine, was held outside the Moment theatre, where masked assailants attacked a lecture organised by the two parties on Wednesday. 

In the attack, the assailants – described as Nazis by Expo – let off smoke grenades and assaulted several people, three of whom were hospitalised. 

“Let’s say it how it is: this was a terror attack and that is something we can never accept,” said Amanda Lind, who is expected to be voted in as the joint leader of the Green Party on Sunday. 

She said that those who had attended the lecture had hoped to swap ideas about how to combat racism. 

“Instead they had to experience smoke bombs, assault and were forced to think ‘have they got weapons’?. The goal of this attack was to use violence to generate fear and silence people,” she said.  

EXPLAINED: What we know about the attack on a Swedish anti-fascist meeting

More than a thousand people gathered to protest the attack on a theatre in Gubbängen, Stockholm. Photo: Oscar Olsson/TT

Nooshi Dadgostar, leader of the Left Party, said that that society needed to stand up against this type of extreme-right violence. 

“We’re here today to show that which should be obvious: we will not give up, we will stand up for ourselves, and we shall never be silenced by racist violence,” said said.

Sofia Zwahlen, one of the protesters at the demonstration, told the DN newspaper that it felt positive that so many had turned up to show their opposition to the attacks. 

“It feels extremely good that there’s been this reaction, that we are coming together. I’m always a little worried about going to this sort of demonstration. But this feels safe.”

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