Nils Gustafsson
Encyclopedia
Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson (born May 10, 1942 in Vantaa
, Finland
) is the sole survivor of the Lake Bodom murders
in Finland
in 1960. Gustafsson was a bus driver
and lived a normal life until 2004, when he was arrested on suspicion of committing the murders.
In late March 2004, almost 44 years after the event, Gustafsson was arrested by the police on the suspicion that he was the murderer. In early 2005, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation declared the case re-opened based on some new analysis of bloodstains found at the scene. These analyses required DNA testing
, a technique not available at the time of the murders. According to police theory, Gustafsson had an alleged outburst of jealousy involving one of the victims, Irmeli Björklund, his girlfriend. Irmeli was stabbed fifteen times that night, while the two other teenagers were killed less savagely. Gustafsson's own injuries were also severe.
The trial started on August 4, 2005. The prosecution called for a life sentence
against Gustafsson on three counts of murder. They claimed that the re-examination of the old evidence using modern techniques pointed directly to him. The defense argued that the killings were the work of one or more outsiders and that Gustafsson suffered injuries similar to those sustained by the other victims, and therefore would have been incapable of killing three people. Gustafsson had allegedly admitted to a police officer, following his arrest, that he had committed the murders, saying "What's done is done, I'll get 15 years." However, the court dismissed this and charges of false perjury were raised.
On October 7, 2005, Gustafsson was acquitted of all charges. He was awarded €
44,900 (58,229.31 USD) in damages for his time in prison and the mental anguish he suffered in being accused.
Vantaa
Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
) is the sole survivor of the Lake Bodom murders
Lake Bodom murders
The Lake Bodom murders were an infamous multiple homicide that took place in Finland in 1960. Lake Bodom is a lake by the city of Espoo, about 22 kilometres west of the country's capital, Helsinki. In the early hours of June 5, 1960, four teenagers were camping on the shores of Lake Bodom...
in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
in 1960. Gustafsson was a bus driver
Bus driver
A bus driver, bus operator or omnibus driver is a person who drives buses professionally. Bus drivers typically drive their vehicles between bus stations or stops. They often drop off and pick up passengers on a predetermined route schedule. In British English a different term, coach drivers, is...
and lived a normal life until 2004, when he was arrested on suspicion of committing the murders.
In late March 2004, almost 44 years after the event, Gustafsson was arrested by the police on the suspicion that he was the murderer. In early 2005, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation declared the case re-opened based on some new analysis of bloodstains found at the scene. These analyses required DNA testing
Genetic fingerprinting
DNA profiling is a technique employed by forensic scientists to assist in the identification of individuals by their respective DNA profiles. DNA profiles are encrypted sets of numbers that reflect a person's DNA makeup, which can also be used as the person's identifier...
, a technique not available at the time of the murders. According to police theory, Gustafsson had an alleged outburst of jealousy involving one of the victims, Irmeli Björklund, his girlfriend. Irmeli was stabbed fifteen times that night, while the two other teenagers were killed less savagely. Gustafsson's own injuries were also severe.
The trial started on August 4, 2005. The prosecution called for a life sentence
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
against Gustafsson on three counts of murder. They claimed that the re-examination of the old evidence using modern techniques pointed directly to him. The defense argued that the killings were the work of one or more outsiders and that Gustafsson suffered injuries similar to those sustained by the other victims, and therefore would have been incapable of killing three people. Gustafsson had allegedly admitted to a police officer, following his arrest, that he had committed the murders, saying "What's done is done, I'll get 15 years." However, the court dismissed this and charges of false perjury were raised.
On October 7, 2005, Gustafsson was acquitted of all charges. He was awarded €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
44,900 (58,229.31 USD) in damages for his time in prison and the mental anguish he suffered in being accused.