Axlar-Bjorn
Axlar-Björn , actually Björn Pétursson (* approx. 1555 in Iceland , † 1596 in Laugarbrekka near Hellnar , Iceland) was an Icelandic serial killer of the 16th century.
Life
Axlar-Björn lived with his wife Þórdís on a remote farm on the Snæfellsnes peninsula , which had been left to him by a rich farmer after years of service. The couple had provided a couple of beds for travelers on this farm. They were among the first in the region to offer sleeping options for travelers. Many foreigners came to this region to see Snæfellsjökull volcano . Most of the people who stayed at the farm never came back. Axlar-Björn killed her with an ax in the barn in order to steal all her belongings, mainly clothes, money and horses. He buried his first victim in his barn near Knörr, and let his other corpses disappear in the nearby Ígultjörn (leech pond), a pond below the Axlarhólar hills.
He was only caught when one of two siblings was able to free himself from his clutches and reported him to the community council.
Björn confessed to nine acts, but it is believed that he killed at least eighteen people in this way. Björn Pétursson was then sentenced to death and executed in Laugarbrekka near Hellnar in 1596 .
To this day, he is the most famous Icelandic serial killer. How many people he actually killed is uncertain. He got his nickname from the village of Öxl in Breiðavík .
Trivia
Úlfar Þormóðsson wrote a historical novel about Björn Pétursson and his wife in 1988. An Icelandic play is based on the story of Axlar-Björn.
Web links
- Axlar-Björn Photo of the memorial plaque
- Axlar-Björn on the website of the University of Iceland
- wordpress
- Play "Björn from Öxl" on New Plays from Europe
- blogspot
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Axlar-Bjorn |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Björn Pétursson (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Icelandic serial killer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | around 1555 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Iceland |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1596 |
| Place of death | Laugarbrekka near Hellnar , Iceland |