In the square in Rönninge in Salem municipality, the sea of flowers and lit candles continues to grow. It was on the night of Boxing Day that a 25-year-old woman disappeared and was found dead the next day. A 26-year-old was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder and aggravated trespass.
On New Year's Eve, a small crowd of people stands silently next to the improvised memorial site.
It is a terrible darkness, a bestial act of violence. A young woman has been deprived of her life in a very offensive and violent way. Her family, relatives and friends are of course experiencing a bottomless sadness, says Gunnar Strömmer, who is visiting the memorial site together with Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M).
"But today we have also been able to experience the strength of society. An enormous warmth has flowed out here in Rönninge from all over Sweden," he continues.
"Late"
The lights in the square are being replenished at regular intervals. In addition to the politicians, a young woman also steps forward to light a candle.
It's good that they're here, but it feels a little too late, says Josefin Ekman, who is the same age as the victim and has come from her hometown of Södertälje.
It feels like everyone is very insecure because it's coming so close. It could just as easily have been your best friend or yourself.
The 26-year-old suspect, who denies murder but admits to gross violation of the peace, has previously been convicted of child pornography, attempted kidnapping and threats against an official.
"The underlying driving force behind the acts appears to be NN's sexual interest in children and death," the Swedish Board of Forensic Medicine wrote in a forensic psychiatric examination in connection with the child pornography and kidnapping conviction, reports Dagens Nyheter.
Stricter rules
The Minister of Justice, who does not want to comment on the individual case, says that Sweden has had too low sentences and released people early despite a high risk of relapse into serious crime. Those are problems the government is now addressing, according to Strömmer.
He is referring partly to the stricter rules for conditional release that will be introduced on January 1, and partly to the proposal for custodial sentences for dangerous repeat offenders that is now out for consultation.
It targets really dangerous people: pedophiles and serious violent and sex offenders.
