Allgén and Härm revisited in notorious da Costa murder case in Sweden
In the 1980s, Thomas Allgén gained notoriety in Sweden as the so-called “general practitioner” involved in the controversial case of Catrine da Costa, a 27-year-old woman who was murdered and dismembered. Alongside forensic expert Teet Härm, Allgén faced accusations, yet they were acquitted by the court. However, the ruling included comments stating that the men were guilty of dismembering the body. Because the acquittal did not allow for an appeal, they could not contest the assertion of guilt regarding the dismemberment. Subsequently, both men lost their medical licenses, which they were never able to regain despite appealing the decision. Allgén’s life subsequently unraveled, preventing him from practicing medicine again.
Initially, police investigated various potential suspects in da Costa’s death but later narrowed their focus solely on Härm. Allgén had previously met Härm through work, and their families had social interactions. Following the murder, Allgén’s wife believed their young daughter exhibited signs suggesting she had witnessed her father and Härm dismembering da Costa’s body. This interpretation from the mother became a cornerstone of the investigation, although the daughter, who was only one year old at the time of da Costa’s death, has never been directly interviewed by police.
Critics within the police department have pointed out numerous flaws throughout the judicial process against Allgén and Härm, describing an environment where the focus shifted to convicting Härm, with Allgén being implicated by association. Allgén’s former wife has declined to participate but asserts she stands by her previous statements during interrogations.