Hidden kayak helped police arrest Stockholm archipelago murder suspect

A woman who found a hidden kayak helped police locate and arrest a suspected murderer in the Stockholm archipelago, SVT reported.

Rebecka discovered the kayak in a forest while police were searching for a man suspected of killing a woman in her 50s. She said the discovery gave her “cold shivers”.

After finishing work, Rebecka searched by boat without success. She later met a visitor who had seen a kayak in the forest. They went to investigate with the emergency number 112 ready on the phone.

“We went into the forest and found it under a spruce and a pine, in the middle of the forest,” Rebecka said.

She immediately called 112 and reported that they had found a hidden kayak. A cap, life jacket and bag were also nearby.

Rebecka and the visitor returned to their cabin, locked the door and waited for police. She then accompanied officers and showed them where the kayak was hidden.

Police launched an intensive search, including a helicopter operation. The suspected offender was found around midnight.

“It has been intense and chaotic, and it was incredibly lucky that we found the kayak and could contribute to the search,” Rebecka said.

The man, who is in his 50s and was close to the woman, was detained on Thursday on probable cause suspected of murder.