Clark Olofsson, whose kidnapping incident in 1973 led to the development of the term 'Stockholm syndrome', has passed away at 78 due to a prolonged illness. His involvement in a high-profile bank robbery, where hostages developed sympathies for their captors, sparked debates on psychological conditions and victim-blaming.
The Notorious Criminal Behind the 'Stockholm Syndrome' Theory Passes Away
The Notorious Criminal Behind the 'Stockholm Syndrome' Theory Passes Away
Clark Olofsson, a pivotal figure in the infamous Stockholm syndrome case, has died at 78, marking the end of a controversial chapter in criminal psychology.
Clark Olofsson, a key figure in the notorious 1973 Stockholm bank robbery that inspired the term 'Stockholm syndrome', has died at the age of 78, as confirmed by his family through online media. Olofsson became a notorious criminal after participating in a six-day hostage standoff in Sweden, during which hostages began to empathize with him and his accomplice, Jan-Erik Olsson, while expressing animosity toward the police.
The incident resulted in the psychological phenomenon known as Stockholm syndrome, where captives develop affections for their captors. Olofsson’s role was significant, having been brought in at the request of Olsson, who sought to ensure the safety of the hostages. In a startling twist during the crisis, one of the captives, Kristin Enmark, urged the Swedish Prime Minister for a resolution, asserting that the captors had treated them kindly, and even pushed to leave the bank in a getaway car with them.
After a dramatic standoff, which included hostages refusing to exit for fear of police retribution, the situation concluded with a police raid involving tear gas. This violent resolution raised questions about the psychological state of the hostages, who later declined to testify against Olofsson and Olsson. The term 'Stockholm syndrome' was coined by criminologist Nils Bejerot to describe the baffling bond that formed in such traumatic circumstances, a concept that has since remained controversial.
Although some experts question whether Stockholm syndrome constitutes a real psychiatric condition, others believe it serves as a vital coping mechanism in traumatic situations. Enmark, reflecting on her experience, pushed back against the victim-blaming narrative, arguing for the complexity of survival tactics in hostage situations.
Olofsson, who had a criminal record and spent much of his life incarcerated, was released in 2018 after a drug sentence in Belgium. His notoriety was further amplified when actor Bill Skarsgård portrayed him in the Netflix series 'Clark.'
