Police suspect crime after a care home resident died in Espoo, raising serious questions about staff oversight and safety procedures at the facility. On 25 January, an elderly resident at the Attendo Olarinpuisto care home attempted to summon help 11 times within a single hour, but no staff responded. The resident later died in their own room, prompting a police investigation into potential criminal conduct.
Western Uusimaa Police confirmed on Thursday that the death is being investigated as a suspected criminal offence. Authorities are examining the case under the categories of negligent homicide and endangerment. Detective Chief Inspector Jyrki Kallio emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. He noted that while one person has been questioned as a suspect, further interviews are planned and the exact number of suspects remains confidential.
“The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, so at this stage we cannot comment on the exact number of suspects, as that could affect upcoming interviews,” Kallio said.
According to initial reports from Iltalehti, the resident repeatedly tried to contact care staff using a safety bracelet alarm. Eleven calls were made in one hour, but none reached personnel because the mobile phones designated to receive alarms were switched off. Preliminary information suggests that these phones may have been inactive for up to a day and were not properly charged, leaving the resident without any means of immediate assistance.
Attendo, the company operating the Olarinpuisto unit, acknowledged the incident and described it as a case of serious neglect. Chief Executive Virpi Holmqvist noted that the unit had experienced long-standing operational challenges, implying systemic issues that may have contributed to the failure in responding to the resident’s urgent needs. The incident has amplified public scrutiny of care home safety standards in Espoo and across Finland, especially concerning how vulnerable residents are monitored and assisted.
Under Finnish law, negligent homicide carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Endangerment, which may involve putting others at risk through negligence, can also result in fines or imprisonment. Legal experts indicate that the investigation will likely focus on both individual and institutional responsibility, examining whether lapses in oversight or failure to follow safety protocols directly contributed to the resident’s death.
Police have also opened a separate investigation to determine the exact cause of death. Findings from this inquiry will remain confidential, pending completion of the pre-trial investigation.
This case highlights critical weaknesses in the monitoring systems at care facilities. Safety alarms, intended as a lifeline for residents, proved ineffective when essential equipment was not operational. Experts in elder care stress the need for rigorous oversight, staff accountability, and robust emergency response systems to prevent similar tragedies. The Espoo incident may prompt wider regulatory scrutiny and calls for stricter enforcement of care standards across the country.
