Swedish Prosecutors Retract Identification of 'Skandiamannen' as Palme's Killer, Vindicating Stig Engström

Swedish overåklagare Lennart Guné has officially stated that the evidence against Stig Engström, known as 'Skandiamannen', as the murderer of Prime Minister Olof Palme is insufficient to justify reopening the investigation. Guné underlined multiple issues with the case, noting that witness accounts conflict with Engström's supposed involvement, the timeline of his movements is inconsistent, and no evidence links him to the murder weapon or provides a clear motive. Furthermore, Palme’s widow, Lisbeth Palme, identified a different suspect, Christer Pettersson, whose appearance differs significantly from Engström's.

This announcement marks a significant reversal from 2020, when chief prosecutor Krister Petersson named Engström as the prime suspect without solid technical evidence. The decision to withdraw the case against Engström has been welcomed by journalist Jon Jordås, who has extensively researched the Palme case and described the move as a "vindication" for Engström and his family. Jordås criticized the earlier identification for lacking foundation and remarked that the investigation now effectively returns to square one, with no officially named suspects.

Ulrika Glaser Rydberg, daughter of a man previously implicated as the "weapon collector" who was alleged to have supplied Engström with a murder weapon, expressed relief at this development. She highlighted how the false association had tarnished her father’s reputation and saw the decision as indirectly clearing his name. Veteran police officer Lennart Gustafsson, who worked on the Palme investigation for three decades, also supported the dismissal of Engström as a suspect, labeling him as a mythomaniac.

With the dismissal of Engström from suspicion due to lack of substantial evidence, the Palme murder investigation remains unresolved nearly 40 years after the tragic assassination in 1986, continuing to be mired in complexities and uncertainties.