Agnes Osmund and Henrietta Tegler, both 24, hold each other at the memorial site established in Rönninge, southwest of Stockholm. They came from Uppsala and studied with the 25-year-old woman who disappeared on Boxing Day night and was found murdered on Saturday evening.
"It felt good to do something practical," says Henrietta Tegler, with tears in her eyes.
"It was a person who had been a familiar presence in your everyday life, who suddenly became exposed to something like this. I think everyone feels that it could have been anyone," says Agnes Osmund.
Both are at home with their families over Christmas. Like the woman, Agnes Osmund says she was out late on Christmas Eve and took public transportation home.
"That's what you're afraid of when you go home. You look over your shoulder, and the worry you've had inside has been acted out on someone. It's completely insane," she says.
"Life has just begun"
At the memorial site, emergency services personnel are also there, placing a bouquet among the sea of flowers surrounded by a ring of lit candles. Several candles bear the woman's name.
People were already gathering at the scene on Sunday, Ove Eriksson, 80, says; he saw them from his brother's apartment window and says this with tears in his eyes.
"Many must have known her."
"It's terrible that this has to happen to young people," he continues.
Veronica Vernersson, 81, also stops by the sea of flowers.
"25 years old. Life has just begun," she says.
"It must never happen again. One can only hope that good will prevail over this."
Schools are being prepared
Acquaintances of the woman leave candles and flowers on Monday. As they wipe away tears and hold each other tightly, the memorial site grows as a stream of people moves around the square.
"Incredibly tragic," says the chairman of the social welfare committee, Andreas Dahl (S), and he explains how Salem municipality has set up crisis support for those who need to talk. A local church has also been opened for conversations.
"We need to collaborate with all other agencies, such as the church, civil society and associations. So let's help each other get through this, because I'm convinced we will."
Going forward, night patrol volunteers who meet young people in the municipality will offer support, and schools will be prepared for the start of term after the Christmas holidays.
"Among other things, we need to ensure that student health services have the capacity to receive students."
