Kim Wall: Mother of Swedish journalist who died on homemade Danish submarine pays emotional tribute
‘She gave voice to weak, vulnerable and marginalised people. That voice had been needed for a long, long time, now it has been silenced’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The mother of Swedish journalist Kim Wall has told how her daughter “gave voice to the weak, vulnerable and marginalised” in an emotional tribute after police identified her remains.
Ingrid Wall confirmed with “boundless sadness and shock” the headless, limbless female torso discovered on Monday in the Copenhagen waterside belonged to her daughter.
Ms Wall said the 30-year-old had an “ability to be a person that makes a difference” and said her voice that had “been needed for a long, long time” had now been “silenced.”
“It is with boundless sadness and shock that we received news that the remains of our daughter and sister Kim Wall have been found,” Ms Wall, wrote on Facebook on her family’s behalf. “We cannot yet grasp the extent of this catastrophe and there are many questions that must be answered.
“During the horrific days since Kim disappeared, we have had countless evidence of how loved and appreciated she was, as a human and friend as well as a professional journalist.
“From all corners of the world, evidence of Kim’s ability to be a person that makes a difference.”
Ms Wall died after embarking on board a submarine owned by Danish inventor Peter Madsen, 46.
The experienced foreign correspondent was last seen boarding the 18m UC3 Nautilus craft on 10 August with Mr Madsen, who she was interviewing for a feature.
Her mother said: “She has found and told stories from different parts of the globe, stories that must be written. Kim travelled for several months in the South Pacific to let the world know what is happening to the population on the islands that sink. She allowed us to travel to the Haiti earthquake, to the torture chamber of Idi Amin in Uganda and the minefield in Sri Lanka.
“She gave voice to the weak, vulnerable and marginalised people. That voice had been needed for a long, long time, now it has been silenced.”
Danish Police said a piece of metal was attached to her body “likely with the purpose to make it sink”.
Ms Wall, a graduate of the London School of Economics and Columbia University, was reported missing by her boyfriend in the early hours of 11 August. The submarine sank hours later and Mr Madsen was rescued.
Danish and Swedish maritime authorities had used divers, sonar and helicopters in the search for Ms Wall’s body in Koge Bay, south of Copenhagen, and in the Oresund Strait between the two countries, before it was spotted by a passing cyclist.
Mr Madsen, charged with manslaughter, told a court Ms Wall died in an accident and that he “buried” her at sea, changing his previous statement that he dropped her off alive in Copenhagen. He denies any wrongdoing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments