The first page was a photocopy of a handwritten report form headed Hedestad
Police Emergency Centre. The officer who had taken the call had signed his name
D.O. Ryttinger, and Blomkvist assumed the “D.O.” stood for “duty officer.” The caller
was Henrik Vanger. His address and telephone number had been noted. The report
was dated Sunday, September 25, 1966, at 11:14 a.m. The text was laconic:
Call from Hrk. Vanger, stating that his brother’s daughter (?) Harriet Ulrika VANGER,
born 15 Jan. 1950 (age 16) has been missing from her home on Hedeby Island since
Saturday afternoon. The caller expressed great concern.
A note sent at 11:20 a.m. stated that P-014 (police car? patrol? pilot of a boat?) had
been sent to the site.
Another at 11:35 a.m., in a less legible hand than Ryttinger’s, inserted that Off.
Magnusson reports that bridge to Hedeby Island still blocked. Transp. by boat. In the
margin an illegible signature.
At 12:14 p.m. Ryttinger is back: Telephone conversation Off. Magnusson in H-by
confirms that 16-year-old Harriet Vanger missing since early Saturday afternoon.
Family expressed great concern. Not believed to have slept in her bed last night. Could
not have left island due to blocked bridge. None of family members has any knowledge
as to HV’s whereabouts.
At 12:19 p.m.: G.M. informed by telephone about the situation.
The last note was recorded at 1:42 p.m.: G.M. on site at H-by; will take over the matter.
The next page revealed that the initials “G.M.” referred to Detective Inspector
Gustaf Morell, who arrived at Hedeby Island by boat and there took over command,
preparing a formal report on the disappearance of Harriet Vanger. Unlike the initial
notations with their needless abbreviations, Morell’s reports were written on a
typewriter and in very readable prose. The following pages recounted what
measures had been taken, with an objectivity and wealth of detail that surprised
Blomkvist.
Morell had first interviewed Henrik Vanger along with Isabella Vanger, Harriet’s
mother. Then he talked in turn with Ulrika Vanger, Harald Vanger, Greger Vanger,
Harriet’s brother Martin Vanger, and Anita Vanger. Blomkvist came to the