A newlywed couple's despair turned to joy when a 'Ring Detective' found their lost wedding ring in the sea at Öland. The couple, visiting from Gothenburg, had lost the ring during a swim. After a Facebook appeal, Elias Wärlinge, known for finding lost valuables, located the ring within minutes, turning the incident into a heartwarming story.
Newlyweds' Lost Ring Found by 'Ring Detective' in Öland
Newlyweds' Lost Ring Found by 'Ring Detective' in Öland
Newlyweds Susanne and Hans Elbel Björklund were devastated when Hans lost his wedding ring while swimming in Öland. However, their sorrow turned to joy when the 'Ring Detective' came to the rescue and found the ring on the seabed.
"We were incredibly happy," says Susanne.
The couple, who live in Gothenburg, visited Susanne's hometown of Borgholm in Öland last week to see her family.
"We were swimming at Mejeriviken. In the evening, I realized the wedding ring was gone. A ring that usually fits tightly on my finger," says Hans Elbel Björklund, 56.
"It was a huge shock. We were utterly distraught and very sad. We searched everywhere," he adds.
Susanne Elbel Björklund, 60, confirms their deep distress.
"The wedding rings are especially significant to us as we are quite newly married. We got married less than a year ago in the Seychelles. So the ring had traveled halfway around the world only to disappear here at home in Öland," she says.
Facebook Appeal
They searched in shops and all the places in Borgholm they had visited in the past day. Then Susanne's daughter suggested posting an appeal in Facebook groups related to Öland. This quickly yielded results, as first reported by Ölandsbladet.
Within minutes, they were contacted by Elias Wärlinge, 27, from Norrköping, who calls himself the 'Ring Detective.' He specializes in finding rings and other valuables on the seabed and has helped many across the country recover their treasures.
"It was late in the evening. He was ready to come and search at night, but I wanted to check him out first. His Facebook page was very trustworthy," says Susanne Elbel Björklund, a healthcare unit manager.
The 'Ring Detective' arrived in Borgholm the next day after a similar mission in Jönköping. The couple waited for him at the swimming spot. Equipped with a metal detector and a spade, he found the ring in less than ten minutes.
"A Real Sunshine Story"
"After just a minute, the detector signaled a metal piece, then he found something else. The third time, it was the ring. I was so incredibly happy and relieved," says Hans Elbel Björklund, curator at the Gothenburg Sports Museum.
"A lot of people on the beach followed his search. Everyone was thrilled when he found the ring. It was a real sunshine story," says Susanne.
Hans believes a combination of sunscreen and cold water caused the ring to slip off. They both assure that they will never swim with their wedding rings again.
"We are incredibly impressed by Elias. He said he only wanted gas money and a small finder's fee. But we gave him a generous amount because we are so thankful and happy," says Susanne.
"Passionate About Finding Things"
Being a treasure hunter is Elias Wärlinge's great hobby. For about five years, he has called himself the 'Ring Detective,' and in recent weeks alone, he has found rings and family heirlooms that have been missing for many years.
"It's my passion, I love finding things. And making people happy at the same time is a fantastic combination," he says.
When he's not a ring detective, he works seasonally at Kolmården Zoo and at a café in Norrköping.