A woman and her son were found dead in their home in Hörby on Tuesday, with a man in his 50s detained on suspicion of double murder. The woman worked for the municipality, and the boy was a popular student active in community associations. The community mourns the victims with memorial sites and calls for improved crisis management.
On Tuesday, a woman and her son, under 15 years old, were found dead in their home in Hörby after the boy failed to show up at school. School staff alerted the police, who confirmed the deaths. A man in his 50s is detained on suspicion of double murder.
The woman worked as an employee for Hörby municipality, and the boy was a beloved student who played football and handball. They were active in community associations, according to municipal director Linda Strand. “For us, it is a student, but also a colleague. An employee of Hörby municipality who is no longer here,” she says, emphasizing the community's grief. “Our thoughts go to the relatives and closest friends, and their sorrow. We know the grief is general.”
In front of the family's property, candles burn and teddy bears are placed as a memorial. Locals, including 9-year-old Emma Larsson and Jennifer Röhr with her children, are mourning. “We had no minute of silence – that was bad. No one talked about it,” says Emma about the handling at her school. Her mother Stéphanie Larsson agrees, noting that the municipality focused crisis management on one school, while others received less attention. “The boy was popular and had friends who knew him on the other schools too,” says Jennifer Röhr.
The municipality has activated crisis support with extra staff in schools, the town hall open 5–9 PM, and the church 3–9 PM. The public can call 0415–17550 for support talks. Several express that more could have been done to address the event across all schools.
