Mystery grows over dead Swedish couple

The mystery surrounding the couple in their late fifties found dead at their home near Helsingborg in southern Sweden on Sunday continues to grow.

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Forensic examinations are still ongoing at the couple's home in the small community of Viken on Sweden's south-west coast and police were on Tuesday unable to rule out a double murder.

"We are still in the dark as to how they died," said Annika Nilsson at Skåne police on Tuesday.

The couple were found dead in a building adjoining their house by neighbours on Sunday afternoon. They were found together and had apparently been cleaning up after a party with friends on Saturday evening.

The pair were still dressed in their attire for the party which had been organized to celebrated the man's sixtieth birthday.

The party was attended by friends of the man, a local vegetable farmer, and included several family members. Police began to trace and interview those who had attended the party on Sunday.

"We ate and sang, put a wreath on his head and showered him with presents. Then we had coffee and cake," one of the guests at the party said according to the newspaper Aftonbladet.

The medical-examiner who arrived at the scene was unable to determine the cause of death.

"It is quite common that we find dead people and are unable to determine cause of death," explained police spokesperson Charley Nilsson.

"But two at the same time, that is unusual," he added.

There is no indication that the couple were subjected to violence. There was neither any indication of a disturbance in the room in which they were found.

Current speculations indicate a poisoning but it will take several days for autopsy results to emerge.

None of the other party guests interviewed by police have showed any signs of having been poisoned.

Police do not believe that the couple committed suicide. There is nothing to indicate that they were suffering from depression. They were happy and upbeat during the party on Saturday. There was neither any indication that the deaths were caused by an accident.