Murder in the Field

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, 32-year-old Theodore Engström boarded a ferry to Gotland, carrying a single tent and newly purchased weapons in his bag. Less than a week later, he attacked mental health coordinator Inge-Marie Wieselgren with a knife on a public street during Almedalen Week. She died later that day, and Wieselgren was paralyzed.

Although Engström was quickly arrested and confessed, many questions remain. Was it right-wing extremism, terrorism, or mental illness? And, most importantly: were there other victims targeted? Engström called himself the “ghost boy” who wanted to “wake up” society.

During the trial, Engström’s motives became central, as did the mapping he conducted for, among others, Annie Lööf and SVT director Hanna Stern. Through CCTV footage and extensive evidence, his preparations can be traced, from his home in Småland to the scene of the crime in Visby.

How could such a crime occur in the heart of Swedish democracy? Where does the line between terrorism and crime lie? Criminal lawyer Thomas Bodström and journalist Lars-Olof Lambers describe the details of this tragic case, offering valuable commentary on the work of the police and the justice system. Interviews with prosecutors, police officers, prosecutor Annie Lööf, and others enrich this book.