Decades later, few clues in Swedish nanny case.

Byline: R. Marc Kantrowitz

A homeless man searching for whatever treasures might be found on the city streets of Boston or in one of its large, dirty dumpsters happened upon a bound black trash bag. When he opened it, an arm popped out. When the police opened it more fully, they discovered the unclothed upper half of a body.

***

On a Friday between June 19 and June 25, Swedes throughout the world celebrate one of their most festive holidays, commemorating the longest day of the year when it essentially stays light the entire day. After a long winter of darkness ruling the skies and clock, the native population is ready to let loose.

Twenty-year-old Karina Holmer, having arrived in Boston in March, looked forward to celebrating with her newfound friends, although truth be told she didn't need the holiday as an excuse to party. An outgoing and attractive blond, she quickly made friends who, like her and many other young people, were anxious to go out and meet new acquaintances.

Her group often met in the loft of Karina's boss, a commercial photographer who spent the week working and living in South Boston. On weekends he returned to his condo in suburban Dover, which he shared with his wife, an artist and professor at a local university; their two young children; and Karina, their newly hired nanny. Like clockwork, every Friday he would travel from Boston to Dover while Karina traveled in the opposite direction.

Friday, June 21, 1996, was no different. What was different is that this trip would be Karina's last.

As was her practice, she met a few of her friends, all fellow nannies, in the loft, where they socialized and got ready to go out. A local club, Zanzibar, located at the top of Boylston Street across from the Boston Common, catered to a young and foreign crowd. It typically was hopping on weekends.

Arriving with three friends, Karina easily gained entrance using her fake ID. Once inside, the drinking, dancing and partying moved into high gear. Two of her friends met a couple of young men from the Mideast and left with them. A third friend, a stunning nanny from Medfield, drank too much, passed out, eventually recovered, and left with one of the bouncers.

Karina, who had also consumed a lot, left Zanzibar and milled around the large alley with hundreds of other partygoers, deciding where to go next. Trying to re-enter Zanzibar, she was fatefully turned away as it was closing.

As witnessed through the tired and drunken eyes of her...

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