Dagmar Johanne Amalie Øverby is one of Denmark's most notorious serial killers, whose horrific crimes in the early 20th century shocked the nation and led to significant changes in Danish adoption laws. Her calculated and systematic murders of infants entrusted to her care remain among the darkest chapters in Danish history. Below is a detailed account of her life, the murders she committed, her motives, how she was caught, and her ultimate punishment.
Early Life of Dagmar Øverby
Dagmar Johanne Amalie Øverby was born on April 23, 1887, in Denmark. Raised in poverty, Dagmar's early years were characterized by instability and hardship. She came from a working-class family, and her education was limited, leaving her ill-equipped for meaningful employment.
As a young adult, Dagmar worked various low-paying jobs, including domestic service, but struggled to hold steady employment due to her temperamental personality and lack of discipline. Her life took a darker turn when she became involved in petty theft and deceit, showcasing an early inclination toward manipulative behavior.
Dagmar also experienced personal tragedy. She had multiple children, but most of them died in infancy, either from neglect or under suspicious circumstances. This pattern of child deaths, though not initially investigated, was a precursor to her later crimes.
Murders, Victims, and Methods
Dagmar Øverby committed her crimes between 1916 and 1920, targeting vulnerable infants entrusted to her care through informal adoption or foster arrangements. During this period, at least 9 confirmed victims were identified, though the actual number is suspected to be much higher. Her crimes were meticulously planned and ruthlessly executed.
The Scheme
Dagmar posed as a caregiver or intermediary for struggling mothers who were unable to raise their children. At the time, Denmark had no formal adoption system, and it was common for unmarried mothers to seek unofficial caregivers for their children. Dagmar advertised her services as a foster mother, offering to take in babies for a fee. Many mothers, desperate and stigmatized by society, turned to Dagmar in hopes of providing a better life for their children.
Upon receiving payment, Dagmar would assure the mothers that their infants would be cared for in a loving home. However, once the mothers left, Dagmar’s facade of kindness vanished, and she turned to murder as a means of avoiding the burden of childcare while keeping the money she had been paid.
Methods of Murder
Dagmar’s methods of murder were disturbingly efficient and showed a complete lack of humanity:
Strangulation: Her most common method involved strangling the infants, often using her bare hands. In some cases, she used a cord, scarf, or piece of cloth to asphyxiate her victims.
Drowning: Dagmar sometimes drowned the infants in buckets of water or nearby streams. This method was particularly gruesome, as it required holding the struggling infants under water until they died.
Burning the Bodies: After killing the babies, Dagmar often disposed of the bodies by burning them in her stove. This act not only erased evidence of her crimes but also revealed her chilling detachment and calculated approach to hiding her atrocities.
In some instances, she wrapped the bodies in fabric or buried them in secret locations if burning them was not feasible. These actions demonstrate her awareness of the need to conceal her crimes and the meticulous planning involved in her murders.
Victims
Dagmar’s victims were all infants, entrusted to her care by mothers who believed they were securing a better future for their children. The exact number of children she killed remains unknown, but investigators confirmed at least nine deaths through evidence and her own confessions. Tragically, many of the children’s identities were lost to time, as their mothers often placed them with Dagmar under informal agreements, leaving no official records.
One particularly harrowing case involved a newborn entrusted to Dagmar just days after birth. The mother later returned to check on her child, only to be met with evasive answers and excuses. This incident eventually led to Dagmar’s downfall.
Motive
Dagmar Øverby’s motives were primarily financial. She exploited the desperation of unmarried mothers who were stigmatized by society and sought to give their children a chance at a better life. By charging a fee for her services and then eliminating the children, Dagmar maximized her profit while avoiding the responsibilities of caregiving.
Additionally, Dagmar exhibited sociopathic tendencies. Witnesses and investigators noted her cold demeanour and lack of remorse. While financial gain was a clear motive, her willingness to repeatedly kill innocent infants suggests deeper psychological issues, including an apparent lack of conscience. Her actions were not impulsive but rather calculated, demonstrating a disturbing level of premeditation.
How Dagmar Øverby Was Caught
Dagmar’s crimes went unnoticed for several years due to the informal nature of the adoption system and the limited forensic capabilities of the time. However, her downfall began in 1920, when one mother, suspicious of Dagmar’s evasive behaviour, reported her to the authorities.
The Investigation
Police began investigating Dagmar after the disappearance of a baby entrusted to her care. The mother, having second thoughts about giving up her child, attempted to contact Dagmar to retrieve her baby. Dagmar’s refusal to cooperate and her vague explanations aroused suspicion. When police searched her home, they discovered damning evidence, including remnants of burned clothing and other items linked to her victims.
Investigators also uncovered witness testimonies from neighbours who had noticed strange odours and smoke coming from her stove on several occasions. These accounts added to the mounting evidence against her.
Confession
Under interrogation, Dagmar eventually confessed to murdering nine infants. Her confession was chilling in its detail, as she described the methods she used and her attempts to cover up the crimes. She admitted to burning the bodies of several victims and provided information about other disposal methods she had employed. Her cold and matter-of-fact demeanour during her confession shocked investigators and the public alike.
Trial and Sentence
Dagmar Øverby’s trial began in 1921, and it garnered widespread attention. The public was horrified by the revelations of her crimes, and the case became a focal point for discussions about child welfare and societal attitudes toward single mothers.
Conviction
Dagmar was convicted of nine counts of murder, though authorities suspected she was responsible for more deaths. Her systematic and premeditated actions left no doubt about her guilt, and the court handed down the harshest possible sentence: death by execution. Her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, as Denmark was moving away from the death penalty at the time.
Life in Prison
Dagmar spent the remainder of her life in prison, where she reportedly showed little remorse for her crimes. She died in 1929, at the age of 42, while still incarcerated.
Legacy and Impact
Dagmar Øverby’s crimes had a profound impact on Danish society. Her case exposed the vulnerabilities of the informal adoption system and the plight of unmarried mothers, leading to significant reforms in child welfare laws.
Legal Reforms
In response to the case, Denmark introduced stricter regulations for adoption and foster care. The new laws ensured greater oversight and accountability, preventing individuals like Dagmar from exploiting vulnerable families.
Cultural Impact
The story of Dagmar Øverby remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked systems and the capacity for human cruelty. Her name is still remembered with infamy, and her case is studied as one of the most heinous examples of serial murder in Danish history.
Conclusion
Dagmar Johanne Amalie Øverby’s crimes are a dark stain on Denmark’s history. Her calculated murders of innocent infants and her exploitation of desperate mothers shocked the nation and led to lasting changes in child welfare practices. While her life ended behind bars, the legacy of her atrocities serves as a grim reminder of the importance of safeguarding society’s most vulnerable members.
Dive Deeper Into the Mind of a Serial Killer
1. Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
If you’ve ever wondered how law enforcement catches serial killers, this book is the perfect starting point. Written by John E. Douglas, one of the first criminal profilers, Mindhunter dives into the origins of behavioural analysis and its role in capturing some of the world’s most notorious killers.
2. The Anatomy of Evil by Dr. Michael H. Stone
Dr. Michael H. Stone takes readers deep into the psychology of evil in this compelling exploration of human depravity. Using his famous “scale of evil,” Dr. Stone categorises criminals based on their motives and the severity of their crimes, shedding light on what drives people like Gerald Thomas Archer to commit such heinous acts.
Both books offer gripping narratives and expert analyses, helping you better understand the terrifying world of serial killers and the investigators who stop them. By purchasing through the links above, you’ll also be supporting this blog at no extra cost.
Note: Links may contain affiliate codes. Thank you for supporting our work!
Comments