The New Year's Murder of Maria Møller Christensen

20-year-old Maria Møller Christensen disappeared under dramatic circumstances on New Year's Eve — 31 December 2022 — in Herning, a town in central Denmark. She was later found brutally raped and strangled.

The Investigation

Police launched an extensive DNA campaign in connection with the case. Several men were asked to participate in voluntary DNA testing to assist the investigation. Samples were collected from a number of men, which allowed investigators to rule them out as suspects in the murder of Maria Møller Christensen.

DNA evidence proved decisive and ultimately led to the identification of 48-year-old Jan Erik Henriksen as the perpetrator. He was arrested and remanded in custody on the strength of that evidence.

Conviction

Jan Erik Henriksen was subsequently found guilty of the shocking sexual murder of Maria Møller Christensen, with DNA evidence forming the basis of the conviction.

For other cases solved through DNA evidence, as well as coverage of sexual homicide cases and unsolved murders in Scandinavia, see our related reporting on truecrime.news.