Pyjama party murder: Swedish child, 14, is kidnapped, tied up and killed on her way to a sleepover – with two girls who knew the victim arrested

A teenage girl was abducted, tied up and murdered while on her way to a slumber party in Sweden.

Emilia Sjoberg, 14, was found dead last week in the southern Swedish city of Landskrona, bound with silver tape and with several cuts and bruises on her body, local media reported.

Two girls, both 15 years old, have reportedly been arrested in connection with Emilia’s kidnapping and murder.

According to police, they were friends with Emilia and invited her to a slumber party, then lured her to an industrial estate near the local train station, where they murdered her.

Lead investigator Kenth Pehrsson said Emilia’s body showed signs of “severe violence,” but he did not provide information about her cause of death.

“She was found with such injuries and in such circumstances that we suspect that she was killed and that she was deprived of her liberty before that,” said prosecutor Tomas Olvmyr.

According to local court documents, Emilia was allegedly murdered sometime between July 21 and 22. Her body was found shortly after midnight on Tuesday, July 23.

The first girl, 15, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with Emilia’s kidnapping and murder, before the second 15-year-old teenager was captured a day later.

One of the girls is said to have confessed to involvement in the crime.[She] ‘Information was also provided about the background of the action that led to the action as it happened,’ said the public prosecutor.

The girl’s lawyer, Maria Stahl Lindgren, confirmed to local media that her client had spoken to police. The prosecutor added that both girls had made “certain concessions” to investigators.

“It is clear that these three know each other. Both suspects know each other and both know the plaintiff,” the prosecutor said.

The motive for the brutal murder was a fight over an insult, according to information obtained by the Swedish newspaper Express – with Emilia’s mother, Anna Sjoberg, who claims to be an outlet Aftonbladet that her daughter was murdered out of jealousy over a boy.

One of the suspects reportedly told police there were no plans to kill Emilia and that the fight “got out of hand.”

However, Expressen reports that the girls had prepared for the confrontation by stealing silver tape and a knife from various shops.

The 15-year-old – who was the first to be arrested for the murder – was reportedly staying at the same home for teenagers where Emilia lived until recently. She remains in custody, while the other girl has been taken into care by social services.

According to Expressen, the girls even filmed part of the attack, which shows them brutally abusing Emilia.

On Thursday, local police and coastguard searched the harbour next to the industrial estate, but did not say what they were looking for. Two days earlier, a bag containing Emilia’s bank cards and other belongings was found in the water.

Later that day, lead investigator Pehrsson said police had found a knife at the crime scene, which he did not rule out as a murder weapon. He added that a second knife had also been seized.

Emilia’s mother, Anna Sjoberg, 33, told local media that the family is struggling to come to terms with her daughter’s death: “I can’t accept that she’s dead. We are in shock. Every time the phone rings, I check if it’s her. I strongly deny it.

“We haven’t accepted it yet, and we won’t accept it until we see her.”

Police have informed the family that they have identified Emilia, although the results of a DNA test and a comparison of dental records are still pending, Emilia’s mother said.

Mrs Sjoberg, who had Emilia when she was 19, said the family has not yet been allowed to see Emilia’s body and hopes to be able to do so this week.

“When the police came with a priest and told me they had bad news, I replied that they could not tell me because my father and mother were already dead,” said a devastated Mrs Sjoberg.

She added that since learning of her daughter’s death early last week, she had been in disbelief: “I don’t understand why anyone would want to hurt her.”

“My daughter was an angel who always stood up for everyone. Maybe this world wasn’t ready for her yet,” she told Swedish broadcaster TV4 Nyheterna.

Mrs Sjoberg said her daughter was stressed about the slumber party and had argued with her before Emilia texted her while she was on the train.

“I’m sorry mom for behaving badly because I was stressed. I love you and you are my life,” Emilia’s last message to her mother read.

The two did not live together again until Emilia was placed in a home at the age of five.

“We started over and planned what our house would look like. I had just built her a dressing table and she had to choose different furniture. She was so happy,” her mother told TV4.

Mrs. Sjoberg said Emilia’s new furniture will arrive in a few days. “I’ll put it up anyway. And close the door to her room. I want it to stay there, I don’t want to forget her,” she said.

A memorial service for Emilia is planned today.