Finnish man sentenced to 10 years for killing and burning his brother

A 60-year-old man from Ilomantsi, eastern Finland, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for killing his older brother and burning the body, the North Karelia District Court ruled.

Jari Malinen strangled his 63-year-old brother at a cottage in October 2025 before stabbing him in the neck, causing fatal blood loss. He then wrapped the body in a protective cover, moved it outside, and burned it over two days using diesel and firewood. The remains were collected in buckets and dumped from a rowboat into a nearby river.

Malinen claimed his brother had asked to be killed, but the court dismissed the account, finding the victim was likely unconscious from heavy alcohol use. Though Malinen confessed during questioning, the court ruled the admission was not voluntary and did not warrant a reduced sentence.

Forensic examination revealed an unexpected complication: DNA from bone fragments found at the burning site did not match the victim’s. Experts testified that contamination or degradation from prolonged burning likely explained the discrepancy. The court concluded the bones belonged to the victim, citing blood evidence from the cottage and the knife.

Contrary to the prosecutor’s request, the court did not order a psychiatric evaluation, determining Malinen’s heavy drinking explained his actions—though it did not justify leniency. He was ordered to pay nearly €20,000 in compensation to the victim’s two daughters.

The ruling is not yet final and may be appealed.