Pub owner Ahmet Özdemir received weekly deliveries from 26-year-old Vilma Andersson, the suspect in the Rönninge murder case, for over a year. He describes himself as 'completely shocked' by the allegations. Meanwhile, the victim's family appeals for privacy amid widespread media attention.
In the ongoing Rönninge murder investigation, as previously reported, a young woman was kidnapped on the night leading into Boxing Day near Rönninge station in Salem, south of Stockholm, and found dead the following day. Vilma Andersson was detained on Tuesday on probable cause for murder and gross desecration of a corpse, denying the former but admitting the latter.
The victim's family has urged the public not to spread photos or personal details about their daughter. 'Do not spread pictures,' they appealed via Nerikes Allehanda, emphasizing respect during their grief.
Ahmet Özdemir, who runs the Kloster pub on Södermalm in Stockholm, met Andersson frequently. Employed by a food wholesaler, Andersson delivered goods to the pub about once a week for over a year. Özdemir was stunned upon learning of the suspicions.
'I can't believe it. It's a super shock. You meet so many in the restaurant business but this is something else. I get anxiety and feel panicked,' Özdemir told Aftonbladet.
He described Andersson—legally male but presenting with a female first name and using feminine pronouns—as a bit odd and shy, avoiding eye contact, but always pleasant and hardworking. 'One side of her wasn't normal. But she was always nice to us. And worked very hard, I complimented her several times,' he said. Their last encounter was a week before Christmas.
The wholesaler confirmed Andersson is employed 'according to information.' Notably, on Boxing Day, Andersson made a delivery to a nearby café instead of Kloster.