Case 168
Guðmundur & Geirfinnur Einarsson
In January 1974, 18-year-old Guðmundur Einarsson enjoyed a night out with friends in the town of Hafnarfjordur, Iceland. At the end of the evening, he walked into a wild snowstorm and was never seen again. Ten months later, in November 1974, 32-year-old Geirfinnur Einarsson (no relation) also disappeared from the Icelandic fishing town of Keflavik. In a country with next to no homicide, foul play was considered immediately.
Under immense public pressure to solve the case, it wasn’t long before petty criminal Saevar Ciesielski and his girlfriend, Erla Bolladóttir were questioned by police. Termed the “Reykjavik Confessions,” what emerged was an unbelievable tale involving fraud, alcohol smuggling, nightmares, nightclubs, and murder. In a case riddled with false confessions, memory injections, and memory distrust syndrome, knowing who to believe was not as easy as it seems.
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Jessica Forsayeth
Creative direction – Milly Raso
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Music – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
PREMIUM
Although Casefile episodes are free for all listeners, those who want to support us financially can do so by becoming a member of Patreon, Apple Premium or Spotify Premium. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive content including behind-the-scenes discussions with the Casefile team, interviews, early releases and ad-free episodes.
RESOURCES
BOOKS
Out of Thin Air – Anthony Adeane
The Reykjavik Confessions – Simon Cox
WEBSITES
ARTICLES
Gudmundur and Geirfinnur Cold Case Reopened? – Iceland Review
All found innocent in the Gudmundur and Geirfinns case, 44 years after the supposed crimes were committed – Iceland Monitor
“Deep down I knew it didn’t happen”: The woman who imagined a murder – The Guardian
Compensation awarded in Gudmundur and Geirfinnur case – Iceland Review
AUDIO/VIDEO
Out of Thin Air – Netflix Australia
OTHER
Restoring a life on the margins. How my Grandfather’s diaries from his time in solitary confinement have been used in pursuit of post-mortem justice, and why Iceland has more to reckon with than just our tarnished name – Thesis by Tryggvi Brynjarsson