Anna Månsdotter

Anna Månsdotter (also known as "Yngsjömörderskan") (December 28 1841 - August 7 1890) was the last woman to be executed in Sweden. The yngsjö-murder is one of the most famous murder-cases in Swedish history. Together with her son, Per Nilsson, she carried out the murder of his wife Hanna Johansdotter 1889. The cirumstances of the murder are not entirely clear, as both Månsdotter and her son gave several different explanations for it. In later years it has been suggested that she carried out the murder alone.

During the trial it came to light that she had a sexual relationship with her son, and that this eventually led to the murder. It is believed, that she murdered her daughter-in-law because of jealousy, and that she did this with her son's consent. She confessed to the deed along with her son and both were sentenced to death, but hers was the only execution to be carried out. She became the last woman to be executed in Sweden.

Nilsson's death sentence was commuted to life in prison. He was eventually released in 1913 and died of tuberculosis in 1918. Anna Månsdotter was, together with Sofia Maria Ekwall, the most infamous female murderer in 19th century Sweden.

In fiction and culture

"The unusual circumstances concerning the murder has left an imprint in Swedish culture with two feature-length movies and at least one play being made about the murders."

* In 1966 a full length feature film, "Yngsjömordet", was made about the murder, directed by Arne Mattsson.
* In 1986 a part of the mini-series, "Skånska mord", also entitled Yngsjömordet where made, directed by Richard Hobert.

Sources

* http://www.buf.kristianstad.se/trolle/3_5/Yngsjomordet.html