New evidence emerges in unresolved murder case of Sari Sinisalo in Hämeenlinna

A woman with gray hair points to a large rock on the ground, surrounded by a ten-meter-tall spruce forest. “This is the spot where I found her,” says Marja.

On New Year’s Eve 1992, Marja discovered the body of a young woman who had been missing. In a recent video, she recounts that moment. The scene is Padasjoki, in the village of Nyystölä. It’s a beautiful autumn day in October; the sun shines and leaves glow bright yellow, a stark contrast to the snow that blanketed the ground 32 years ago.

This article delves into the unresolved murder of Sari Sinisalo in Hämeenlinna, believed to be a victim of domestic violence. The alleged murderer remains at large.

According to Jan Aarnisalo, a police chief detective, the case remains open, with an international arrest warrant still valid for the suspect, who is thought to be alive. The timeline of events traces back to late October 1992, with the last confirmed sightings of Sinisalo. Following reports of a dispute, neighbors witnessed her partner dragging a large suitcase from their home. Sinisalo’s parents reported her missing on October 28 when they didn’t hear from her.

In December, the suspect fled to Morocco, only to be arrested briefly in Egypt. By the end of December, Sinisalo’s body was discovered in the woods near Padasjoki, leading to further investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Over recent years, leads have dwindled, but Aarnisalo emphasizes the need to question the suspect, Ayoub El Yaakoubi, whose name has been infamously linked to the case, though proof of guilt has yet to be established in court. Despite various arrests, he remains free, creating frustration among law enforcement and those impacted by the case.