Netflix’s latest docu-series The Breakthrough takes viewers through the chilling 2004 double murder case in Linköping, Sweden. This four-part series delves into the complexities of a crime that remained unsolved for 16 years, until advances in genetic genealogy brought the truth to light. The show dramatizes the horrifying events of October 19, 2004, when Daniel Nyqvist brutally murdered Mohammed Ammouri and Anna-Lena Svensson. This gripping true-crime series explores how forensic science, meticulous genealogy and relentless investigation unraveled the case.
The Real-Life Double Murder That Shook Linköping
In October 2004, Mohammed Ammouri, then 8, was walking to school on a calm morning when he met his killer. With a knife in his hand, Daniel Nyqvist attacked Mohammed in what can only be called a violent and pointless act. Mohammed tried to get away but was stabbed several times. He died on the street from his wounds.
Anna-Lena Svensson, a woman who is 56 years old, was the second tragic victim. She saw Mohammed being attacked and tried to stop it but Nyqvist stabbed her very badly. Within seconds, both people died, leaving the people of Åsgatan to deal with fear and sadness.
At the crime scene, police found important clues, such as the killer’s DNA on the murder weapon and a beanie soaked in blood. Even with these clues; the investigation ran into a block. Reports from witnesses, forensic sketches, and public appeals did not lead to any results. The double murder stayed a mystery in the Swedish town for 16 years.
The Role of Genetic Genealogy
The big step forward in this case was the development of genetic genealogy, a state-of-the-art forensic tool. In the year 2020, Swedish genealogist Peter Sjölund joined the search. Sjölund used DNA evidence from the scene of the crime to make a long family tree that led to a suspect. He used FamilyTreeDNA and GEDmatch to find a match because he could not get into many other databases.
Sjölund’s method involved going back in time to the 1800s and putting together family trees until he found two brothers. Daniel Nyqvist became the most likely person to have done it. A process like this usually takes months or even years, but it was finished in just five weeks.
A regional task force went to Nyqvist’s apartment in Linköping on June 9, 2020. An oral swab test showed that his DNA was exactly the same as the DNA found at the crime scene. Nyqvist was caught and admitted to killing the people during his first interrogations, which shocked both the police and the public.
The Trial and Sentencing
Daniel Nyqvist’s trial began later that year. His confession revealed a chilling lack of motive. Nyqvist claimed that he experienced a compulsion to kill two people, a thought he described as uncontrollable. Prosecutors cited his severe psychological disorder as a key factor in the crime. Diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in 2011, Nyqvist had long struggled with social interaction and emotional regulation. His condition went unnoticed by his family until after the murders—when his mother insisted on a psychiatric evaluation.
Johan Ritzer, Nyqvist’s lawyer, said that his client wasn’t a cold-blooded killer but rather a man with a mental illness that wasn’t getting treatment. The court agreed with this and instead of jail time sent him to psychiatric care for life. He was also told to pay a lot of money in damages on October 1, 2020: SEK 350,000 to Mohammed Ammouri’s family and SEK 1.4 million to the Swedish government.
During questioning, Nyqvist said he heard voices telling him to kill the people. He remembered being scared after the crime because he was sure he would be caught or killed.
A man told police, “I remember I didn’t brush my teeth that day because I knew I was going to die or get caught.”
His diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome helped explain some of the things he did. Nyqvist’s brother said that he had always had trouble reading social cues and showing how he felt. By the time of the murders, he had become more distant and spent most of his time alone in his room. Even though these were red flags, his mental health problems were not dealt with until it was too late.
Where is Daniel Nyqvist Now?
Daniel Nyqvist is still getting forensic psychiatric care at the Regional Clinic in Vadstena, Sweden—as of October 2024. He is said to have had no psychiatric symptoms in the last few years and is now going by a different name. According to court documents, his care has been “complication-free,” and he has started taking medicine to help him sleep as a safety measure.
The administrative court also told the head doctor at the Vadstena Regional Clinic to decide what to do about Daniel Nyqvist’s leave. After these breaks, Nyqvist should be able to walk or ride his bike five times a week, go to the grocery store once a week, and visit Vadstena once a month.
Nyqvist’s treatment is looked at every so often, but he is not likely to be released any time soon. His ongoing treatment shows how bad his mental illness is and how much of a threat he might be to society. He has said that he is happy with how he is being treated, but the families of his victims are still grieving.
Sweden will always remember the killings of Mohammed Ammouri and Anna-Lena Svensson. A big step forward in forensic science was reached when genetic genealogy was used to solve this cold case. It showed that DNA technology can still be used to find the truth even after many years have passed.
The resolution brought some peace of mind to the families of the victims. But it’s still hard to understand why the crime made no sense and why there was no clear motive. The Breakthrough captures these feelings and gives viewers a moving look at the terrible effects of not treating mental illness and the never-ending search for justice.
