One of the individuals whose actions led to the coining of the term "Stockholm syndrome" has passed away at the age of 78. Clark Olofsson was a notorious criminal who gained worldwide attention in 1973 after his involvement in a dramatic kidnapping and bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden. His family announced his death, citing a prolonged illness, via the online publication Dagens ETC.
The bank siege lasted six days, during which hostages began expressing sympathy towards Olofsson and his accomplice, Jan-Erik Olsson. The captives even began to view law enforcement as adversaries. This complex psychological phenomenon, where victims form bonds with their captors, later became known as Stockholm syndrome.
The ill-fated incident was initiated when Olsson took four individuals hostage, demanding the presence of Olofsson—who he had befriended during their time in prison. Authorities acquiesced, allowing Olofsson to enter the bank, which was subsequently cordoned off by police. Olofsson claimed in a later interview that he had been enlisted to ensure the safety of the hostages in exchange for a lighter sentence, although he alleged the authorities failed to deliver on this promise.
One hostage, Kristin Enmark, even went as far as to contact the Swedish Prime Minister, advocating for her captors by stating, "I fully trust Clark and the robber... They haven't done a thing to us." She portrayed their time together in a positive light in later interviews and publications. The ordeal concluded after police intervention and the use of tear gas, resulting in the release of the hostages. Remarkably, many hostages chose not to testify against Olofsson and Olsson after escaping.
The concept of Stockholm syndrome has sparked debate among experts in psychology, with some seeing it as a survival instinct rather than a formal psychiatric disorder. The term gained popularity in 1973, coined by Swedish psychiatrist Nils Bejerot who sought to explain the unusual bond formed between captives and their abductors. In a significant related incident a year later, the abduction of American heiress Patty Hearst further popularized the term in media discussions.
In a past interview, Enmark argued against the application of the term, asserting it placed undue blame on victims. Olofsson was no stranger to incarceration, having spent a considerable portion of his life behind bars, with his final release occurring in 2018 following a drug offense. He was portrayed by actor Bill Skarsgård in the Netflix series "Clark" in 2022.
