Two men charged with 2020 Seinäjoki basement murder

Prosecutors have charged two men with murder over the death of a man whose body was found in the basement of an apartment building in Seinäjoki’s Kasperi district in June 2021, Yle reported. One of the men also faces charges over a separate homicide in May.

The defendants, aged 35 and 55, are both charged with murder. The victim, a man aged about 40, was last seen in Kasperi in late November 2020. His disappearance was initially investigated as a missing-person case.

Police estimate that the homicide took place in late November 2020. The investigation was subsequently reclassified as a murder case.

Four people were initially linked to the case. Prosecutors have decided not to charge the other two suspects with murder, saying there was insufficient evidence of their involvement.

The trial is due to begin at the South Ostrobothnia District Court on 2 October.

Both men have serious criminal records

The 35-year-old man is also suspected of involvement in a separate homicide that took place in May. District prosecutor Esa Luomala confirmed the matter to Yle.

The 55-year-old man has a serious criminal record. In addition to a prison sentence for manslaughter handed down in the early 2000s, he has more than a dozen convictions for assaults of varying severity, as well as offences including aggravated criminal damage and making death threats.

His record also includes numerous cases of domestic violence. Court documents show that he behaved threateningly and violently towards his partners.

Investigation lasted for years

Police described the investigation as extensive and demanding. They said earlier this summer that it had remained active throughout the pre-trial investigation.

During the investigation, police suspected a total of five people of the crime and sought their detention in the summer of 2021. Police also received observations and tips from members of the public.