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On the evening of June 21, 1996, 20-year-old Karina Holmer went with friends to her favorite Boston club to celebrate summer solstice - a big holiday in her homeland of Sweden. She was reported missing by friends and it was discovered that she was the woman found mutilated in the trash. Her gruesome murder remains unsolved. What happened from the last time she was seen in the early morning of June 22 until she was discovered by a man collecting bottles and cans from a dumpster behind an apartment building remains a mystery. I’ve been planning on doing this case for a long time. It has been at the top of my list of those that have most impacted me, one that troubles me. Her story is particularly sensitive because it remains unsolved.
June 22 marked 25 years since Karina was seen alive. She has been gone longer than she lived. I always remember her because June 22 is my birthday, and it was the summer before I started college in Boston. Karina's identity was pushed in the press as "The Swedish Nanny," she was the girl in the dumpster. It is a terrifying story.
Today, we are no closer to learning who did this and why. I’d settle for who. The why. Who knows. Motive is far less important now. We would like to know. Of course. But 25 years in, the likelihood that her case is cracked is slim.
June 22, 1996. The last time Karina Holmer was seen alive. I want to see her case solved. And I have a plan to try.
Photo Gallery for more about this case Crime of the Truest Kind Hosted by Anngelle Wood Online: crimeofthetruestkind.com @crimeofthetruestkind Thank you, Emily Sweeney of the Boston Globe Music in this episode by Joe "onlyone" Kowalski and Andrew King http://onlyone.bandcamp.com Promo for Murderific Podcast http://murderific.com Thank you for listening.
The Boston Police Department Unsolved Homicide Unit continues to review the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident and is asking anyone with information relative to this investigation to contact (617) 343-4470. Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to assist this investigation in an anonymous manner.
Photos: Photos of Karina Holmer (this is really Karina, some sites post someone entirely different)
The entry of what was known as "the alley" on Boylston Place - Likely the last place she was seen alive
The dumpster behind the apartment building on the corner of Ipswich and Boylston Streets The area she was found recently
View of the Estate in the Alley that was Zanibar
Source Links
Boston Globe - Who Killed Karina Holmer? Twenty-five Years Later, Swedish Nanny’s Grisly Murder Remains Unsolved
by Emily Sweeney, June 22, 2021
Front Page Detectives - 25 Years Later, The Gruesome 'swedish Nanny's' Murder In Boston Remains A Mystery
by Nate Homan, JUne 15, 2021
Boston Herald Editorial: Time to solve ’96 murder of Karina Holmer
June 16, 2021
Caught In Dot - Community Alert in Karina Holmer Murder
WBUR Boston - Remembering Karina Holmer By Name by Philip Martin, June 24, 2019 https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/06/24/remembering-karina-holmer-by-name-not-just-by-the-crime-that-killed-her
Billy Jensen - Karina Holmer and Elizabeth Short by Billy Jensen (who I had NO Idea worked for the Boston Phoenix!), October 17th, 2013
True Crime Daily - The Brutal Unsolved Murder of Karina Holmer
Murder In New England - Karina Holmer, The Swedish Au Pair Case -unsolved
AP - Swedish Nanny Killed In Boston, Body Cut In Half, By Carolyn Thompson, June 26, 1996
South Coast Today - Swedish Teen Found Slain In Boston Trash, by Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press, Jun 26, 1996 https://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/19960626/news/306269941
ARCHIVES
Boston Globe - Victim Regarded As Upbeat, Good With Children,
by Ellen O'brien And Matt Bai, June 26, 1996
Boston Globe - Police are focusing on man outside club in au pair's murder, Ric Kahn and Matt Bai, June 27 1996 https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy.bpl.org/bostonglobe/docview/290784787/5E284FE2B3BA40A5PQ/2?accountid=9675
Boston Globe - Psychologists say killing doesn't fit sadist pattern, by Brian MacQuarrie, June 27 1996
Au pairs find nightlife alluring But many unprepared for dangers, realities of living in a foreign city, Kevin Cullen and Ellen O'Brien, June 30, 1996
The panhandler questioned in murder of nanny, Ric Kahn and Brian MacQuarrie, July 3, 1996
Au pair probers find a print Victim may have been held captive, Ric Kahn and Matt Bai, July 2, 1996
Figure in case of nanny seems to be suicide, by Ric Kahn Jan 11 1997
Nanny slay case cited in suicide Troubled man thought he was seen as suspect, by Ric Kahn, Jan 201997
FBI involved in Karina Holmer Murder
Police officer who dated Karina Holmer is questioned
Boston Herald - New Crime Stats in Boston
Boston Globe - Homicides and shootings are on the rise nationwide. Boston is no different.
Mass.Gov Blue Laws https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-blue-laws#:~:text=Massachusetts%20blue%20laws%201%20Sundays.%20Retailers%20may%20open,3%20Blue%20laws.%20M.G.L.%20c.%20136%2C%20s.%20
New York Times - Ban On Sunday Sales Ends
Chowdaheadz - Blue Laws that still exist
Boston.com - Sunday Sales Ban Ends
Dry towns
Suffolk Journal - Banning double shots and happy hour does not make drinking at bars safer https://thesuffolkjournal.com/27980/opinion/banning-double-shots-and-happy-hour-does-not-make-drinking-at-bars-safer/
Boston Herald - Boston crime rates, by Joe Dwinell
Area Vibes
https://www.areavibes.com/boston-ma/crime CBS Boston - Olivia Ambrose https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/01/22/olivia-ambrose-missing-boston-bar-person-of-interest-charlestown-mbta-station-bunker-hill-housing-development/
ID - Jassy Correia Kidnapped In Boston
WCVB Channel 5 - Amy Lord's murder
MassLive - The Killing Of Jassy Correia, How a 23 Year Old's Birthday Celebration turned Deadly
WPRI - Trial Date Set for Jassy Correia's Killer
New England Crime Stories | A True Crime Podcast