‘The Investigation’

The Copenhagen police don’t have much to work with. The parents of a 30-year-old Swedish journalist have reported their daughter has gone missing and a privately owned submarine has sunk in the waters between Sweden and Denmark.

At the first meeting with his team, Police Chief Investigator Jens Møller (Søren Malling) must establish if there is a connection between the two events. Parents of the missing journalist had mentioned their daughter was scheduled to interview the owner of the submarine and has not been heard of since. Møller finally has a link.

Eventually small details that provide clues trickle into headquarters. Someone saw a boat anchored near the submarine, while another person saw a female board the sub. A group of people saw a man and a woman heading toward a pub from the recently docked sub.

However, the most significant information is gathered from the owner of the submarine himself. He comes forth to admit knowing the journalist and inviting her on board for a short demonstration voyage. After more pressured interviews, the owner admits that the woman in question was struck dead when the hatch of the sub accidentally fell on her head. He panicked and threw her body overboard.

The owner can be detained for his confession but only for a short time without the presence of a body. The lengthy search begins – from the air, on the sea and under the water. The Danish police enlist the aid of the Swedish police who eventually agree to cooperate.

Days later CI Møller is informed that a torso has washed-up on the shore but only a torso. The father of the late journalist encourages the Swedish police to send their cadaver dogs to Denmark to help with the search. The sea is also cooperating by calming to the point that the heavy sub can be raised and brought on land for examination.

The owner changes his confession when the divers recover a woman’s undergarments and sweater tucked under a grate on the sub. Due to the length of time underwater, no DNA evidence can be collected, but from the torso it can. DNA testing proves the body is that of the journalist.

Weary after weeks of searching, the divers continue looking for more pieces to the puzzle. They are finally rewarded when they retrieve the rest of the body and, surprisingly, a saw. Why a saw they wonder?

Now with the complete body, the coroner declares the death of the victim was not caused damage to her head, nor, at first look, by the 17+ stab wounds to her torso. Once more the sub owner adjusts his confession.

With no compelling evidence thus far, the police begin searching the sub owner’s computer, phone records, bank statements and personal belongings. They find frequent visits to the dark web and the liberal use of ill-boding words in communications he has exchanged with others. Perhaps this explains the presence of the saw.

This “see” story, directed by Tobais Lindholm (Credits:  A Hijacking,  At War) is based on a real investigation that began in the latter months of 2017 and was finally closed in April of 2018.

johan@beachomber.news