Olof Palme served as the Prime Minister of Sweden for several terms, from 1969 to 1976 and again from 1982 until his assassination in 1986. He was a prominent figure in promoting a welfare state and a voice for social democracy in a globally tumultuous time. On the night of February 28, he and his wife, Lisbet Palme, attended a movie at the Grand Cinema in Stockholm. After the show, they decided to walk home instead of taking a taxi, a testament to Palme's approachable nature. As they walked through the dark city streets, they were approached by an assailant. Olof Palme was shot in the back, and despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

The investigation into his assassination was one of the largest in Swedish history, with over 1,000 individuals questioned and various theories proposed regarding who may have been responsible. Speculation ranged from political motives, foreign intelligence involvement, to actions by local criminal elements. The case continued to draw attention for decades, with numerous false leads and conspiracy theories emerging. It wasn't until 2018, more than three decades later, that the Chief Prosecutor announced that the prime suspect had died, ruling out any further investigations, but leaving many questions unanswered. The ambiguity surrounding the case still evokes interest and debate among historians and political analysts alike.