Submarine inventor admits dismembering journalist's body

Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Danish inventor Peter Madsen changed his story regarding the death of journalist Kim Wall aboard his submarine, saying he dismembered her body but did not kill her.

The torso of Wall, a Swedish freelance journalist researching a story on Madsen, was found floating off the coast of a Copenhagen suburb on Aug. 21, 10 days after she and Madsen traveled around Copenhagen harbor in his homemade submarine. He initially said that he safely delivered her ashore.

After he was charged with involuntary manslaughter and desecration of a body, Madsen said Wall died when a heavy hatch on the vessel struck her head, and that he pushed the body into the water. He later admitted that he dismembered her body while in a state of "suicidal paralysis."

Wall's head, arms and legs were found in the harbor in weighted bags on Oct. 10. The submarine was deliberately sunk, investigators said.

An investigation of Wall's remains showed no blunt trauma to her head, but 14 stab wounds to her ribs and genitals.

On Monday, a Copenhagen Police representative said Madsen had changed his story again. Madsen told police that Wall died of carbon monoxide poisoning aboard the submarine, and that he mutilated her body and dumped the parts at sea. He still denies killing Wall.

Madsen was additionally charged with "engaging in sexual acts other than intercourse."

Police also said that videos of torture, strangling and beheading were found on Madsen's computer. He has denied that the videos were his.