On Thursday, chief prosecutor Lennart Guné announced that it was wrong to single out the “Skandia man”, as Olof Palme’s suspected murderer.
– We have in no way come closer to a solution to the Palm murder, says Guné at a press conference.
The article in brief
Chief prosecutor Lennart Guné says there is a lack of evidence against Stig Engström, the “Man of Scandia”.
The investigation into the Palm murder cannot be reopened because Engström is dead.
New DNA technology is not enough to move forward with the case.
Several circumstances speak against Engström being the perpetrator.
The case may end up with the police’s cold case group.
There is not enough evidence to single out the so-called Skandiamann as Olof Palme’s suspected murderer, according to Guné.
The Palm murder was dropped in 2020 after the suspect Stig Engström died.
A request this fall to reopen the investigation, citing new DNA technology, was denied because the preliminary investigation cannot be reopened once closed because the suspect is dead.
During the press conference, chief prosecutor Lennart Guné first went through the sequence of events.
– Now in September, a review and a request to resume the preliminary investigation has been received, says Guné and refers to new DNA technology that had been possible to trace.
The chief prosecutor points to ambiguities
Guné made it clear that Stig Engström is no longer singled out as the perpetrator.
– I have read some of the books that pointed out and rejected Stig Engström as the perpetrator. Like many before me, I have also found several circumstances that undermine the weight of the suspicions against Stig Enström, says Guné and mentions Lisbeths Palme’s naming of Christer Petterson.
– It is doubtful whether Stig Engström has generally had enough time to carry out the deed.
Guné also points to uncertainties about how Stig Engström may have known that the Palme couple were outside the cinema, as well as questions about a possible motive and whether witnesses really saw Stig Engström at the scene.
– There are a number of witnesses who claim to have seen the perpetrator. Of them, only one witness has perceived a cap, and that obliquely from behind.
DNA tracking not applicable
Guné assesses that the idea of DNA tracing lacks the prerequisites for resuming the preliminary investigation.
– It is not possible to prove who is the perpetrator, and further investigation cannot be assumed to change the state of evidence in a decisive way.
– I value the state of evidence in relation to the Skandian man differently than Krister Petersson did five years ago.
When asked if it is reasonable to leave the murder of Sweden’s prime minister so open, Guné replies that if there are no longer any conditions, the investigation should be closed.
– I hope that this murder will be solved, says Guné.
– I have great understanding that it is received with disappointment. We have in no way come any closer to a solution to the Palm Murder.
Could this case be sent to the cold case team?
– Yes, of course.
The text is updated.
