If investigators find themselves looking into a case involving the murder of camping children, then it makes sense that they would at some point turn their attention toward the local guy who was known to harbor a hatred of both children and campers. Seeing as he as he was known to throw rocks at campers and cut their tent stakes, Karl Valdemar Gyllström was that guy.
According to Historic Mysteries, Gyllström was known for a history of violent behavior, having previously confessed — before later denying — to drunkenly killed his neighbor.
READ RELATED: Did Sandy Murphy & Rick Tabish Kill Ted Binion? Did They Really Kill Ted Binion? Dateline
Neighbors reported seeing him walking home early on the morning of the murders, but knowing his habit of violence and fearing retribution, they did nothing. He was later seen pouring concrete down a well which is obviously an unusual thing to be doing, but investigators ignored this piece of information. Some believe that this may have been a method of hiding murder weapons.
The murders were never officially pinned on Gyllström but there’s a bizarre end to his story. While talking with a friend about the murders, Gyllström asked what he should do if he had been involved with the murders, with the friend responding he should go drown himself in the lake, otherwise he’d spend the rest of his life in prison. Not long after, that’s exactly what Karl Valdemar Gyllström would do. That’s not a confession, but sometimes actions speak louder than words.
Source:
