A serial killer's dark world and society's mistakes

A Halloween party turned fatal for a woman, her fate still speaking to us to this day. The docuseries Amagermanden delves into Marcel Lychau Hansen's grim world, where premeditated crimes and unsolved mysteries intertwine. Released in 2021, the series is led by director Celeste Pedersen and journalist Sebastian Richelsen, who through several episodes reveal the atrocities left by Hansen. These crimes, including multiple murders, spanned decades and were only connected late in the investigation. Available on both Viaplay and Amazon Prime Video, the series is more than just a portrayal of a serial killer's brutality; it casts a critical light on Danish law enforcement, repeatedly failing in the case.

Police errors and manipulations thoroughly exposed

The strength of the documentary lies in its unyielding revelations of police mistakes, which allowed Lychau Hansen to continue his crimes. Mistakes and manipulations often served as his alibi. Exclusive interviews with key figures such as homicide chief Ove Dahl and prosecutor Anne Birgitte Stürup lend depth to the series, showcasing the complexities of stopping a man who could so effectively hide his identity. Despite criticism of Richelsen’s emotional approach, which sometimes weighs heavily on the objective narrative, the series successfully raises important considerations about the police's role and responsibility in hunting a serial killer.

Systemic failures in justice and society's struggle

The series adds an extra layer to the true crime genre by addressing systemic failures in the justice system, which continue to be debated in Denmark. In collaboration with the book Sagen om Amagermanden, which also documents police missteps, the series has resonated and reignited interest in unsolved cases. Amagermanden’s crimes not only highlight the barbarity of one man but also a society’s struggle against unseen dangers. With an upcoming dramatization on the horizon, it’s clear that the story of Lychau Hansen will continue to challenge our perception of justice and legal security in Denmark.

Watch the docuseries Amagermanden on Viaplay or Amazon Prime Video viaplay.dk. Follow KrimiNyt for more in-depth true-crime analyses.