Case 194
Lake Bodom
*** Content Warning: child victims, suicide ***
Saturday, June 4 1960 seemed like the beginning of an idyllic summer break for Finnish teenagers, Nils Gustafsson, Seppo Boisman, Maila Irmeli Björklund and Anja Tuulikki Mäki. The four friends had decided to go camping at Lake Bodom, a picturesque region not far from their homes in Helsinki.
But the following morning, strangers stumbled across the teenagers’ bloodied and beaten bodies in amongst the ruins of their slashed tent. So began what is arguably Finland’s most infamous murder case – one that has captivated investigators and the public for more than half a century.
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Holly Boyd
Editing – Erin Munro
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
Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
PREMIUM
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RESOURCES
COURT AND POLICE RECORDS
Gustafsson’s hypnosis transcript – Central Criminal Police
Mystery of Bodom (Central Criminal Police – anonymous police summary of initial investigation) – posted to Murha Info Forum
Pre-trial Investigation Material – Central Criminal Police
Defense Response – Espoo District Court
Judgment of the Espoo District Court – Judgment No. 05/2193
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Lake Bodom – Apu Magazine
The killer of the lake was searched by police and volunteers – YLE News
Various articles on the Bodom Murder trial – YLE News
Various articles from the Helsingin Sanomat archives
60 years of Bodom’s murder tragedy: Neighbours rumoured… – Ilta Sanomat
60 years of Bodom’s murder tragedy: …Hans Assman… complete alibi – Ilta Sanomat
Espoo politician is sure he knows who the murderer was – Swedish YLE
Politician claims to know Bodom’s murderer – “Drowned in Lake Bodom” – Länsiväylä
The triple murders on Lake Bodom became a media circus. But why? – Alibi
Did a bystander accidentally find Bodom’s murder weapon? – Ilta Sanomat
Maija Keihäs received a call from her sister that cannot be forgotten – Ilta Sanomat
False witness: why is the US still using hypnosis to convict criminals – The Guardian
VIDEO
Murder DNA – Lake Bodom Murders – YLE
BOOK
Legend of Bodom – Ulf Johansson (Excerpts)