Plea for help in hunt for Swedish woman's killer
Swedish police have released a picture of the 21-year-old jogger murdered on a running track almost a month ago as her mother prepares to make a television appeal.
Police launched a murder probe after dog handlers found missing woman Ida Johansson, 21, dead in the early hours of August 6th in the Runby area of the Stockholm suburb of Upplands Väsby.
But after almost a month of investigation – including hauling more than 350 people to a police station to compare their DNA to traces discovered on the scene – her killer has still not been found.
“Although many interrogations have been held and many tips have been received we urge everyone who has made observations; has knowledge of anyone who behaved differently before, during or after the time of the crime; or has any other information to offer, to get in touch with the police,” said Stockholm region police press spokesperson Lars Byström in a statement.
Meanwhile, Ida's mother was set to make her first public appearance after her daughter's death on Swedish television crime show 'Nya Efterlyst' ('New Wanted'), to be broadcast at 9pm on Wednesday night on TV8.
In a heartbreaking interview quoted in advance by the Aftonbladet tabloid, she tells viewers about coping with her daughter's death, describing Ida as a happy young woman and the life and soul of the family.
She also reiterates the police's appeal for information, pleading with anyone who knows anything about what happened on the running track in Runby to come forward.
Tributes left at the running track in the Runby area of Upplands Väsby. Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad/TT
Officers hope releasing her picture will trigger the memory of potential witnesses.
“All details or identifying data may be of interest to us. It is important that the person who has seen something lets us evaluate the particular detail, we are the ones putting the pieces of the puzzle together and have the whole picture,” Byström told the TT news agency.
The murder stirred debate in Sweden about female safety while out running. Just days later thousands of people took to tracks across the Nordic country in the much-publicized 'Run with love' campaign to pay tribute to Ida – and to show defiance in the face of fear.
"Everyone I meet on the trail always asks me how I can be running alone, but I refuse to let myself be affected. It feels like we're honouring her by doing this together," orienteering enthusiast Amanda Jonasson, 25, told Aftonbladet at the time.
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Police launched a murder probe after dog handlers found missing woman Ida Johansson, 21, dead in the early hours of August 6th in the Runby area of the Stockholm suburb of Upplands Väsby.
But after almost a month of investigation – including hauling more than 350 people to a police station to compare their DNA to traces discovered on the scene – her killer has still not been found.
“Although many interrogations have been held and many tips have been received we urge everyone who has made observations; has knowledge of anyone who behaved differently before, during or after the time of the crime; or has any other information to offer, to get in touch with the police,” said Stockholm region police press spokesperson Lars Byström in a statement.
Meanwhile, Ida's mother was set to make her first public appearance after her daughter's death on Swedish television crime show 'Nya Efterlyst' ('New Wanted'), to be broadcast at 9pm on Wednesday night on TV8.
In a heartbreaking interview quoted in advance by the Aftonbladet tabloid, she tells viewers about coping with her daughter's death, describing Ida as a happy young woman and the life and soul of the family.
She also reiterates the police's appeal for information, pleading with anyone who knows anything about what happened on the running track in Runby to come forward.
Tributes left at the running track in the Runby area of Upplands Väsby. Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad/TT
Officers hope releasing her picture will trigger the memory of potential witnesses.
“All details or identifying data may be of interest to us. It is important that the person who has seen something lets us evaluate the particular detail, we are the ones putting the pieces of the puzzle together and have the whole picture,” Byström told the TT news agency.
The murder stirred debate in Sweden about female safety while out running. Just days later thousands of people took to tracks across the Nordic country in the much-publicized 'Run with love' campaign to pay tribute to Ida – and to show defiance in the face of fear.
"Everyone I meet on the trail always asks me how I can be running alone, but I refuse to let myself be affected. It feels like we're honouring her by doing this together," orienteering enthusiast Amanda Jonasson, 25, told Aftonbladet at the time.
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