On Wednesday morning, an area at Kallholmen in Skelleftehamn was cordoned off after skeletal remains were found on the beach.
It was around eight o’clock on Wednesday morning that human skeletal remains were discovered on a beach in Skelleftehamn. Police soon suspected that it could be one of the people reported missing in the Skellefteå area.
In connection with the discovery, Anna Larsson, mother of the missing Elliott, and Camilla Berggren, mother of Zebastian who disappeared nearly a year ago, were contacted. Both mothers say it could take weeks before the identification is complete.
Zebastian was last seen in central Skellefteå on the night of May 8, 2024. Despite numerous searches along the Skellefteå River, he was never found. The high water levels in the river last spring complicated the search efforts.
When Zebastian’s mother received the call from the police on Wednesday, it evoked a mix of emotions.
– It’s tough, but at the same time, getting an answer would be a relief. However, right now, we don’t even know if it’s him.
How has the past year been for you?
– It has been filled with grief and despair. Sometimes, you live on hope. Personally, I go through all the stages of grief every day. It’s especially tough now because everything is being brought up again, says Camilla Berggren.
– In a way, I hope it’s Zebastian they’ve found. Otherwise, maybe we'll have to go all through this again.
Elliott was last seen on 28 November 2023.
Elliott was reported missing on December 1, 2023, after his parents realized he hadn't gone to work and no one had heard from him for several days.
He was last seen a few days prior, on November 28, 2023, when he left his workplace at Alimak. The police believe Elliott then went home to his apartment, although this hasn't been confirmed as no one saw him doing so.
On Wednesday morning, an area at Kallholmen in Skelleftehamn was cordoned off after skeletal remains were found on the beach.
Missing People has searched for both young men.
Later that same evening, data from mobile towers showed that his phone moved north along the E4. At 9:21 p.m., the tower in Jävre picked up a signal from the phone when it was manually turned off. Since then, it has been switched off.
Several search efforts have been made for Elliott and his grey Volvo, which the police believe he was driving. The focus has been on the Jävre and Piteå areas, but contacts have also been made with police as far away as Finland and Norway.
Elliott’s mother, Anna Larsson, was also contacted on Wednesday after the discoveries were made in Skelleftehamn.
– Elliott’s car is still missing without a trace, so regardless, I think we need to find the car to get some kind of explanation for what happened to him, says Anna.
– That said, I feel that we can’t just sit back and wait for answers. Now people are starting to move out in the fields and on the water. Keep an eye out for the grey Volvo. It’s still important for us to get help finding his car.
"Maybe this will bring closure, either for our family or for someone else, says Anna Larsson, the mother of the missing Elliott. The photo was taken in December 2023 during a gathering for Elliott at the Landskyrkan church.
What were your thoughts when the police called?
– Even if it turns out not to be Elliott, another family will know what happened to their missing person. No one should have to live with the uncertainty of a missing loved one. It’s a terrible and heartbreaking situation in every way, so perhaps this discovery will provide some closure – whether for our family or for someone else.
A new search effort for Elliott, using drones, is planned in the coming weeks. When Norran contacted Anna, she hadn't yet coordinated with Missing People, the organisation leading the search. However, she emphasised that the family still hopes to locate Elliott’s car.
– We are incredibly grateful for the assistance we’ve received, but we also want to ask people who are near bodies of water where a car might have gone in to remain vigilant and keep an eye out.