Maria Romberg

Case details

Maria Romberg (1697 – April 14, 1725) was a Swedish convicted murderer and the central person in a murder history well known in her time. She was convicted along with her three accomplices, among them her lover, for the death of her husband.

Background

In 1716, at the age of 19, Maria Romberg was arranged to marry merchant Anders Broberg, 27 years her senior, in Borås, against her will.

Anders Broberg was said to abuse Maria. He was called brutal, and Maria’s stepfather accused him of alcoholism.

In 1719, Maria started a relationship with her childhood friend, Haqvin Wijndruf, a member of one of the most wealthy and influential families in Borås. The relationship was well known in the city, and many people acted as messengers for letters.

In 1722, her husband called upon two vicars to lecture her.

After this, Maria Romberg and Haqvin Wijndruf made two attempts to poison Broberg, but failed.

Maria then hired a cunning woman called Romans Ingeborg, who was reputed to be able to perform magic. Romans Ingeborg assured Maria that she had performed many murders for hire in the past.

The offence

On one occasion, Maria Romberg, Haqvin Wijndruf, and their accomplices tried to strangle Broberg, but failed.

In 1724, they informed the maid Karin Andersdotter of their plans. Broberg had abused her, and she wanted revenge.

On 28 December 1724, Maria was again lectured by the vicars. That same night, Maria, Haqvin, Ingeborg, and Karin planned the murder.

The three women went to Broberg’s bedroom, where he was asleep, and Ingeborg hit him in the head until he died. They then placed his body to look as if he had tripped and hit his head.

When the corpse was examined, it was thought to have been murdered, and Maria and her three accomplices were accused of murder.

Investigation and confessions

Karin was the first to confess.

When Maria heard this, she also confessed, and told Haqvin to do the same.

Haqvin denied everything. He claimed that she had several lovers beside him and tried to escape, but was arrested and forced to confess.

Trial

Maria, Haqvin, Ingeborg, and Karin were found guilty on 23 February and sentenced to death.

Sentencing and execution

They were all decapitated, with some variations.

• Maria was decapitated and burned.
• Haqvin was decapitated and had his head nailed to a pole.
• Ingeborg had her hand cut off and was then decapitated and burned.
• Karin was simply decapitated and buried.

The sentence was carried out on 14 April 1725.

Aftermath

The affair ended the influence of the Wijndruf family in the city.

Haqvin’s brother Andreas was ordained a priest just four days later and emigrated to North America in the summer of 1725.