Finland - Lake Bodom Murders, 15 and 18, Espoo, Finland, 5 June 1960

[bimminglemur]

Iltalehti - Murder at lake bodom: 60 years ago

On Sunday 5th of June 1960 Esko Johansson arrives at Lake Bodom with his young sons. He sees a slumped down tent at the southern end of the lake and makes his way over to investigate.

By the tent he finds a beaten young man, who is later identified as 18 year old Nils Gustafson. Inside the tent are the bodies of 15 year old Irmeli Björklund and Anja Mäki, as well as 18 year old Seppo Boisman.

It becomes obvious that the group of teens have been killed as an end to their camping trip. The murderer has cut off the lines of the tent, which has led it to crash down onto the victims who got stuck inside the tent, leading to a defenceless end, with no possibility of escaping or fighting back.

All four victims had received multiple hits to their heads. Björklund and Boisman had also been stabben, the latter over ten times. Mäki, Boisman and Björklund died as a result to the severe head trauma.

The only one to survive the ordeal, Nils Gustafson, had multiple breaks in his skull. Murder weapons have been identified as a knife and a rock.

Many have been suspected to be the perpetrator in this famous case from Finland. But no one has still been charged.
List of previous suspects include:

• Nils Gustafsson, only surviving victim
• Hans Assman, german-born previous KGB-spy who at the time lived in Finland
• Unidentified man seen at the lake on the morning of the murder. Seen by a 14-year old boy who was fishing at the lake early in the morning. His recollection of the man who ran from the site of the murder matches how Nils described the murderer: 20-30 years old, 173-174 cm tall, normal build, round faced, light colored pushed back hair, thick lips, strong jaw, short neck, white teeth, thick hands and large fingers, red cheeks, pimply face, dark checkered shirt with small buttons.
• Karl Valdemar Gyllström - he owned a kiosk in Oittaa, close to Lake Bodom. He was known for his aggressive temperament and hatred towards campers. He did once confess to the murders while drunk with his neighbour. He died in 1969, drowning himself in lake Bodom.

 

[Richard]

This triple murder occurred 65 years ago. It remains unsolved.