The Murders of Lake Bodom

This year, on the fourth of June, is exactly 50 years ago since 4 teenagers were brutally attacked at the peaceful nature site of Lake Bodom in Finland. Fifty years later, the murders remain unsolved. The Finnish metal band ‘Children of Bodom’ took its name from the murders, and dedicated several songs to the victims. But what happened that fateful night, 50 years ago?

Four teenagers decided to go camping near the lake. The girls Anja and Maila were 15 years old, and the boys Seppo and Nils were 18 years old. They had fun, set up their tent and went to sleep. But somewhere between 4Am and 6Am, the Grim Reaper appeared. An unknown person surprised the teenagers in their sleep and they were stabbed to death. Only one of them survived: Nils Gustafsson, who was severely injured. Over the years there have been many theories, and the German Hans Assmann confessed the murders on his deathbed. No proof was found, and the police claimed he had an alibi. He was a former KGB agent, and on the night of the murders he was treated in a nearby hospital with suspicious injuries. Or at least that is the story of Jorma Palo, who wrote a book about the murders. The police kept the original tent of the teenagers, and pieces of clothing. People were hoping to find the killer as it became possible to do DNA testing. The case became front page news again when 62 year old Nils Gustafsson was arrested, based on ‘new evidence’. A gigantic mistake, so thought the court. The injuries of Nils had been so severe and similar to the other victims, that he was freed of all charges. The metal band ‘Children of Bodom’ dedicates at least one song of every album to the murders. The name of the group was very controversial from the beginning, as well as their lyrics. They also produce t-shirts with slogans like ‘I survived Lake Bodom’. These lyrics are from the song ‘Bodom Beach Terror’:

Late night you party until it's light While pointing at the sky Wash your hands in the lake of your blood Just before you die

Probably this is one of those mysterious cases which will never be solved. The Finnish lake Bodom is beautiful, but I wouldn’t dare to go out there camping at night. Rent the best apartments in Helsinki, and visit this piece of nature on a sunny day.

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