Police launch new searches for missing Juha Valkola

The National Bureau of Investigation has launched new searches for Juha Valkola in the Paavola area of Siikajoki, nearly six years after he disappeared, Yle reports. His body has not been found.

Police suspect that Valkola was killed within 24 hours of his last visit to a shop on 24 August 2020. Before he disappeared, he left a note reading “help” at the village shop in Paavola.

Jukka Nurmenniemi, a chief inspector with the National Bureau of Investigation’s Oulu unit, said searches had been carried out intermittently throughout the investigation. Police are now focusing particularly on the Paavola area based on information gathered during the preliminary investigation and intelligence work.

Nurmenniemi did not say whether the new searches were prompted by a specific tip or new information. Police have not disclosed the exact search location, but said it is not near the Paavola village shop.

Two people remain suspects

The National Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case as suspected manslaughter and aggravated extortion. Police believe Valkola was extorted for money before his disappearance.

Two people were detained during the early stages of the investigation and remanded in custody on suspicion of crimes. They were later released because of insufficient evidence, but remain suspects, according to Nurmenniemi.

He did not comment on whether there had been other suspects over the years. Police have not recently interviewed anyone in connection with the case, but Nurmenniemi said the investigation remains active.

“We are doing everything we can to resolve the matter,” he said.