STOCKHOLM — 1984 · Unsolved Case

The Catrine da Costa Case

UnsolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

Catrine da Costa, a 27-year-old living in Stockholm, disappeared over the Pentecost weekend in June 1984. Remains found in Solna in July and August 1984 were identified as hers, but the cause of death was never established. In 1988 two physicians were tried for murder and acquitted for lack of evidence. Controversial wording in the court's reasoning led to the revocation of their medical licences, and the case became one of the most debated in Swedish legal history. The investigation was formally shelved in 2009. The case sparked a long public debate in Sweden about the justice system, the media and the safety of sex workers.

Date
1984
Place
Solna, Sweden, Stockholm, SE
Category
Unsolved Case
Case Status
Unsolved
Coordinates
59.3600, 18.0000 ↗

Timeline of Events

  1. 10 June 1984Catrine da Costa was last seen in Stockholm.
  2. July–August 1984Her remains were found in Solna.
  1. 1988Two physicians were tried and acquitted of murder.
  2. 2009Prosecutors formally shelved the investigation.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.

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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.