The Åre Murders Ending Explained: Who Killed Amanda and Johan?

The series The Åre Murders, available on Netflix, is a Nordic thriller based on the series of novels by Viveca Sten. With an intense narration and a script built around the secrets and torments of its protagonists, the show captures the viewer with an intertwining full of twists and emotional tension (here you will find our review). The ending leaves you in suspense, revealing dark truths linking two distinct murders. In this article, we analyze the meaning of the final revelations and the fate of the key characters. The plot of the series revolves around two crimes that deeply shake the small Swedish town of Åre. The first case concerns Amanda, a seventeen-year-old young woman who mysteriously disappears after leaving a party. His body will only be found later, as a victim of strangulation. The second murder occurs months later and concerns Johan Andersson, a former professional skier whose dismembered body is found near the train tracks.

The Åre Murders Ending Explained: Who Killed Amanda and Johan?

While initially, these two cases seem disconnected, as investigations progress, underground connections, unsuspected secrets, and dark dynamics emerge within the community of Åre. The series thus manages to keep suspense high, moving from the investigation of one crime to another with great narrative ability. The series follows researcher Hanna Ahlander in two separate cases that shake the quiet town of Åre: the disappearance and death of young Amanda Halvorsen and the brutal murder of Johan Andersson. As the investigation progresses, dark secrets of abuse, corruption, and exploitation networks that connect the two tragedies come to light.

Hanna and Daniel: Investigations Between Conflicts and Personal Dilemmas?

The protagonist, Hanna Ahlander, is a former policewoman from Stockholm who, after a suspension from work and the end of his love relationship, takes refuge in his sister’s holiday home in Åre. Despite her intention to take a break, Amanda’s disappearance pushes her to get back into the game and collaborate with the local police. The chief investigator of the case is Daniel Lindskog, a man who faces a conflict between dedication to work and his family life. The recent birth of his daughter and the constant tensions with his wife put a strain on his balance. The meeting with Hanna soon turns into a forced collaboration, marked by distrust and personality clashes. However, over time, the two begin to trust each other, investigating personal obstacles and difficulties.

Johan Andersson’s Case

After the resolution of the first murder, the series focuses on the case of Johan Andersson, whose body is found dismembered on the train tracks. The investigation leads to numerous suspects, including Pastor Ole Nordhammar, with whom Johan had had strong contrasts. However, the truth is even more complex and directly involves his family. It turns out that Johan had a secret relationship with Rebecka, the wife of Pastor Ole, and that the two were planning to start a new life together. But when Rebecka becomes pregnant, Johan disappears without keeping his promise to save her from marriage to Ole. Police begin to suspect Carl Willner, Johan’s friend and partner, after noticing that the headlight of his car matches that described by witnesses near the crime scene.

However, the real culprit is Jens Wernolf, Marion’s ex-husband, and Leo’s father, Johan’s adopted son. The truth comes to light in a moment of great emotional tension: Leo, overwhelmed by guilt, confesses that he had witnessed a violent quarrel between Johan and his mother Marion. Feeling betrayed and frightened by the prospect of losing his family, Leo hits Johan with a shovel, accidentally killing him. To protect his son, Marion, and Jens had staged Johan’s disappearance, transporting his body with the van from Carl’s restaurant and placing it on the tracks to simulate an accident. The ending reaches its peak when Leo, unable to bear the weight of his actions, attempts suicide by throwing himself on the train tracks. At a dramatic moment, the police manage to stop him just in time, leaving open the possibility of a future for the boy, even if marked by trauma.

Who Killed Amanda and Johan?

The outcome of The Åre Murders reveals two disturbing truths: Amanda died trying to do justice and Johan was the victim of a crime of passion with a tragic turn.

• Amanda’s murder: Amanda discovered that her friend Ebba was being manipulated by her teacher, Lasse Sandahl, a sexual predator who took advantage of her students. But what led to her death was confronting an even more dangerous man: Bosse Lundh, leader of a human trafficking network. Bosse exploited immigrants like Zuhra, stealing their passports and forcing them to rob rich houses. Amanda tried to help Zuhra by selling the stolen jewelry so that she could get her passport back, but by demanding that Bosse release the woman, he murdered her and left her body on the cable car to divert attention.

• Johan’s murder: Months later, another crime shakes Åre when Johan Andersson’s dismembered corpse appears. Although suspicions fall on Pastor Ole Nordhammar, an abusive man who attempted to kill his wife, Rebecca, the truth turns out to be even more tragic. Johan was killed by Leo, his teenage stepson, in a fit of anger upon discovering that Johan planned to leave his mother. With the help of their biological father, Jens, and their mother, Marion, they hid the crime by having their bodies run over by a train.

Corruption and Abuse in Åre

The series shows how the small town of Åre hides a network of abuse and corruption under its apparent tranquility. From the teacher who takes advantage of his students to an entrepreneur who turns human trafficking into a lucrative business, evil operates silently until Hanna and Daniel bring it to light.

The Fate of the Guilty

• Bosse Lundh is arrested after Zuhra’s confession and Hanna’s investigation.
• Ole Nordhammar is shot by the police while trying to strangle his pregnant wife.
• Marion and Jens They are detained for covering up Johan’s murder, while his son Leo is sent to a juvenile center after attempting suicide on guilt.

The Meaning of the Ending?

The Åre Murders ending explores profound themes such as guilt, justice, and the consequences of their actions. Each character is marked by secrets and remorse that force them to make extreme choices. Hanna, despite her problems, demonstrates an incredible determination to solve cases and faces her inner demons by accepting her role as a policewoman. Daniel, although torn between career and family, learns to better balance his priorities. Finally, Leo represents the tragedy of a young man who finds himself involved in events bigger than him, with an uncertain future. With a mix of suspense, emotion and moral reflections, the series closes leaving an indelible mark on the viewer, showing that the truth, however painful, must always emerge.